Life: 6 Principles From The Greatest Coach Of All Time

You know when you're buzzing with excitement - and you tend to annoy everyone around. Well that happens to me a lot - often after watching a basic pre-workout motivational YouTube video or reading a book. Im a simple man. So I'v just just finished reading John Wooden's book (a hero of mine and world class coach): 'A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court'. Its a must read for any sports fans but also for those looking to build a strong moral code for life. Over the next few weeks I will put a few of my favourite quotes up from the book - all of which were drilled into his players under this charge. Here are 6 easy principles, which may seem obvious, but need consideration on a regular basis.  

1. Never Lie
2. Never Cheat
3. Never Steal
4. Don't whine
5. Don't Complain
6. Don't make excuses 

Podcast Review: How Haim Saban Went From Refugee To Billionaire

Image: The New Yorker 

As a regular reader of these pages you will be aware that one of my favourite prodcasts is 'How I Built This' by NPR. Its a podcast about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built. 

On the first warm day in London this year I had the pleasure of stumbling across this episode as I crossed Putney Bridge. Nothing could have prepared me for the introduction from Mr Saban:  

"I have to tell you that the biggest hits I have had in my life and in music and in television and in business have always been as a result of significant rejections and repeated rejections. So every time I have an idea, and people tell me 'no don't do that'..I think oops I'm onto something" 

As a serial ideas man and wannabe entrepreneur, nothing could have shook me to the core quite like it. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a tear in the eye! Anyone that has ever attempted to build anything will tell you of the heartache and tears it caused. And damn right! because nothing without effort if worth celebrating. And no one sums that ethos up more than Mr Haim Saban. As a refugee growing up in Tel Aviv, Mr Haim Saban remembers not having enough money to eat. As an adult, he hustled his way into the entertainment business, writing theme songs for classic cartoons like Inspector Gadget and Heathcliff. But producing the mega-hit Mighty Morphin Power Rangers put him on track to becoming a billionaire media titan. He his a highly amusing and deeply inspiring gent. This one isn't to be missed! 

Listen to the full episode here. 

Philosophy: Jeff Bezos On Defining A Brand

In today’s digital age, branding goes way beyond just your logo. The term ‘brand’ now encapsulates everything about your business. It’s about the experience you give your customers, on your website your social media channels and in-store.

This is magic: Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com, defined a brand as ‘what people say about you, when you’re not in the room’.

Advancements in digital technologies (internet, mobile, etc.) allow people to interact with your brand at any point in their journey. So the big question is, when they do, what will they say about you?

Many organisations have been left behind because they neglected the importance of investing the time to think about their brand in this broad sense.

When launching your product or service have a think about how you can: 

- Be recognised 

- Set yourself apart from you competitors 

- Motivate your stakeholders 

- Connect to your loyal customers 

- Actually represent your business values 

Philosophy: What Does It Feel Like To Be Truly Wealthy?

A glimpse into the man's soul:

Philosophy: A Tribute To Two Sporting Greats

Growing up in South Africa, I only ever had one mission as a youngster: To play rugby for the Springboks. You see, Rugby is a religion in SA. From an early age, young boys are taught to train hard, eat big, lift heavy and hit people (all within the parameters of the game of course!).

And when the Springboks won the World Cup in '95', they enjoyed a god like status over night. One of these men was Joost van der Westhuizen, our warrior like scrum half. For the last few years Joost had been battling motor neuron disease - a terribly debilitating affliction that saw him go from a world class athletic specimen, to being wheel chair bound indefinitely. He sadly lost his battle on the 6th Feb 2017. As a result I felt compelled to share these two videos below. The first is when the late, great Jonah Lomu and Joost met for the final time. The second is the moving final goodbye paid to Jonah at Eden Park.

Both warriors, both humble and both filled to the brim with warrior spirt to the very end. 

“‘It’s that rugby spirit’ ”

Philosophy: The Most Important Comment Tim Ferriss Has Ever Made?

I can't quite remember when I heard Tim say this - but I found it to be fascinating. I don't consider myself a Type A personality - but I certainly spend vast amounts of time pondering life and why we behave the way we do. I hope you take something from it as I did: 

'Type A personalities have goal pursuit as default hard wiring. This is excellent for pursing achievement, but also anxiety, as you are constantly future focused. Achievement is merely a passing grade in life - it's a C+ that gets you limping along to the next grade, in the right direction. But for anything approaching happiness, you have to want what you already have, which takes perspective. Because if you don't want and like what you have, nothing you get will ever will make you happy' 
 

For more from Tim, click here. 

Philosophy: Stoicism In 4 Lines

Stoicism is the ability to quickly differentiate what you can control from what you cannot. Once you are able to practice this ancient art successfully, your existence will look and feel very different. One book I have been enjoying on the topic is 'The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday'. Check it out for daily shots of stoic wisdom. 

What you need to know: 

1. Events don't upset us, beliefs do. 

2. Control what you can. Ignore the rest. To quote Baz Luhrmann 'Don't worry about the future or worry that know that worrying Is as affective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday'

3. Accept everything without being passive. (read The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer)

4. Morning and evening rituals are fundamental. You have to set yourself up for the day (or prime yourself as Tony Robbins says) as well as reflect at the end of it.