By now all of the Winter tournaments are over.
Seasons have ended, champions have been crowned and individuals have
been recognized for their outstanding achievements. So if you didn't
finish at the top and you don't have any hardware on the shelf does that
mean you are not a winner?
The greatest instrument for
measuring succes can be found in every home. It isn't a scale to measure
weight, a yardstick to chart growth, its not videotape to rewatch a
winning goal. The instrument to measure absolute success is - a mirror.
Every home has one and it is the one instrument that reveals the
absolute truth. Before you go to bed each night take a good look
into that mirror and ask youself these questions. "Did I give my
absolute best today in everything I did. Was I attentive in class, was I
punctual. Was I respectful to my teachers and classmates. Was I on time
for practice. Did I work harder than anyone on the team. Did I give a
pat on the back to a teammate that was struggling. Did I thank mom and
dad for a great meal. Did I clean my room and do all of my homework?"
If
you can ask all of these questions to the image looking back at you and
you get a positive response - consider it a succesful day and yourself a
success no matter what the scoreboard reads or what you friends claim.
One
of my favorite all time coaches was John Wooden who led UCLA to 10 NCAA
basketball championships. He rarely boasted about his teams
performances on the court but constantly lectured them on how to conduct
themselves as people.
"Be more concerned with your character
than your reputation because your character is what you really are
whereas your reputation is merely what others think you are. Success
comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you
are capable of becoming" wrote Wooden.
Simple words to keep yourself in line and a simple household item hanging on a wall that always measures what matters most.
By now all of the Winter tournaments are over.
Seasons have ended, champions have been crowned and individuals have
been recognized for their outstanding achievements. So if you didn't
finish at the top and you don't have any hardware on the shelf does that
mean you are not a winner? 
