pt. I. Families, values, virtues -- My roots go deep in America -- Nothing is stronger than gentleness -- My mother's great example -- The real coaches and teachers -- Strong inside -- Life's game plan starts early -- Two sets of threes -- Pride or punishment -- The gift of a lifetime -- Living up to dad's creed -- Give it away to get it back -- Six of life's puzzlers -- Trusting others -- Politeness and courtesy -- What you are -- Nellie and I agreed to be agreeable -- Passion isn't love -- Love and marriage -- Marriage is not courtship -- When marriage weakens -- Team Wooden -- Family first -- Sports, books, and kids -- Parents, children, and goals -- Mentors -- You are more influential than you think -- Commend, don't criticize -- Parenting and coaching -- My favorite four-letter words : "kids" and "love" -- Character -- The fundamental goal -- Perfection -- Priorities -- Learn forever, die tomorrow -- Faults are fine -- Timeless traits -- Giving and receiving -- Are you looking for the right things? -- Apples -- Bringing out the best in people -- Indiana and basketball -- Five more puzzlers -- The family has changed -- The greatest joy -- Peer pressure -- Accepting our responsibility -- A lesson on emotion and language -- A reminder : be true to yourself -- Make fate your friend -- Five more puzzlers -- Young folks, old folks -- Six ways to bring out the best in people -- Losing Nellie : peace of mind --
pt. II. Success, achievement, competition -- Mr. Webster's definition of success -- Joshua Wooden's definition of success -- Preparation is the prize -- A successful journey is the destination -- Failures and mistakes -- Blaming others -- The desire to win -- The infection of success -- Underdogs -- The opinion of others -- Pressure -- Hindsight -- The realistic optimist -- Details create success -- Hopes and dreams -- Paying the price -- The worthy opponent -- Follow your bliss? -- Comparisons -- A worthwhile goal -- Tall versus "tall" -- The main ingredient of stardom -- Peace of mind -- Circle what you are -- The biggest change of all -- Personal glory is secondary -- Individual honors -- Quick to judge -- Overachievers -- Eight suggestions for succeeding -- Beating yourself -- Winners make the most mistakes -- Cashing in on fame -- Characteristics of a team player -- All-time best starting five -- Why teams fail -- Orange peels, pride, and productivity -- Kareem's selflessness -- Miracles -- Nine promises that can bring happiness -- Losing and winning -- Sage advice -- Fame -- On talent -- Unhappiness today -- Make the most of what you've got -- Is my Ford better than your Cadillac? -- Recognizing a champion -- Corporate competitors -- Being too competitive -- Is winning the only thing? -- Ego and arrogance -- Work creates luck -- B.O. Barn's unexpected reward -- Character versus "character" -- Right from wrong -- Tricks of the trade -- Act quickly (but don't hurry) -- Your own standard of success -- Perceptions of success -- Zero national championships -- Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be -- Big-money players and coaches -- Adversity makes you stronger -- Character creates longevity -- Kareem learns from adversity -- Persistence is stronger than failure -- Always be progressing -- The India rubber man -- Balance in basketball (and life) -- The importance of basketball -- The Olympics : good and not so good -- The final score -- The glory is in getting there --
pt. III. Coaching, teaching, leading -- A sacred trust -- Philosophers and prison guards -- Who can lead? -- "But, coach Wooden, times have changed!" -- "Why did Wooden win?" -- A leader's difficult task -- Respect -- A leader is fair -- Walk the walk -- Pride as a motivator -- Dictator leaders -- Leaders listen -- Another golden rule -- Leadership and punishment -- Public embarrassment -- The worst punishment of all -- False expectations -- Scouting -- Psychological warfare -- Leadership is more than facts -- Wilt teaches me a lesson -- Emotionalism -- Hatred -- When to be dejected -- Jubilation -- Spiking, dunking, taunting, flaunting -- A coach's best friend -- Sports as teacher -- Being prepared -- The guaranteed dividend -- Tex Schramm's point -- Owners and profits -- Bringing out your best (whatever it is) -- The gym is a classroom -- Love of the routine -- The crowd loves blood -- Flash versus class -- Role models : good and bad -- Spirit versus temperament -- The value in feeling valued -- Swen Nater understood his role -- 110 percent isn't the goal -- Slow and steady gets you ready -- Tough toes bring hidden rewards -- The laws of learning -- Players : politics and religion -- A leader can be led -- Criticism and praise -- Historic loss? -- Basketball in the year 2000 -- Dealing with big-headedness -- A coach's highest compliment -- Keep priorities straight -- Walton's whiskers -- Why did players listen to my old-fashioned message? -- A key to learning -- Negotiating and giving speeches -- On race -- Learning from Kareem -- Athletes as heroes -- Be careful who you follow -- Seven national championships in a row -- The pressure to set records -- Reacting to the championships -- Knowing when to leave --
pt. IV. Putting it all together : my pyramid of success
Are you a failure if you do your best?
Did you really win if you gave a second-rate effort?
Creating my definition of success
You are different ; I am different
The hard part is still ahead
Ten national championships
Finding the answers : the pyramid
Building the pyramid took years
Building a solid foundation for success
The first cornerstone : industriousness
The other cornerstone : enthusiasm
Between the cornerstones : the foundation
Building on the solid foundation : self-control, alertness, initiative, and intentness
Three more strong blocks : condition, skill, and team spirit
Nearing the peak : poise and confidence
The mortar : patience and faith
The pyramid and the players
