Values Quotes – John Wooden on Caring

Welcome to Values Quotes. I’m Robert Ferguson.

Today’s quote is from John Wooden, the infamous basketball coach of UCLA that won 10 national championships in a 12-year period.

One of Wooden’s great quotes was:
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Wooden knew what he was talking about, as he was named the “greatest coach of all time” and was truly loved by his players.

Why? Because his players knew Wooden cared about them.

As a differentiating value, Caring means to feel concern or interest. It also means providing attention or treatment.

Wooden’s players felt his sincere concern and his personal attention to help them be the best they could be. He did not baby them. His caring was rooted in their potential.

Interestingly, Wooden’s statement can be applied two ways: do what you can do for others, and do what you can do for yourself.

When we embrace the value of caring, then we should not focus on what we cannot do. Rather we should focus our efforts on what we can do. That’s what produces winning results!