A Game Plan for Life

1. What is "A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring" by John Wooden about?

• Focus on Mentoring: The book explores the profound impact of mentoring, both as a mentor and a mentee, through the lens of legendary basketball coach John Wooden’s life.
• Structure of the Book: It is divided into two parts—first, Wooden shares stories of the seven mentors who shaped his life; second, he discusses seven people whom he has mentored.
• Broader Life Lessons: The book goes beyond basketball, offering insights into leadership, character, teaching, and the importance of passing on wisdom.
• Personal and Universal: Wooden uses personal anecdotes to illustrate universal principles about learning, teaching, and the legacy of mentorship.

2. Why should I read "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden and Don Yaeger?

• Timeless Wisdom: The book provides practical, time-tested advice on how to find, become, and benefit from mentors in all areas of life.
• Inspirational Stories: Readers gain access to intimate stories from Wooden’s life, including lessons from his father, coaches, historical figures, and his wife.
• Applicable to All: The principles discussed are relevant not just to athletes or coaches, but to anyone seeking personal growth, leadership skills, or deeper relationships.
• Legacy and Impact: It encourages readers to consider their own legacy and the importance of positively influencing others.

3. What are the key takeaways from "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden?

• Mentoring is Everywhere: Mentoring can happen in any context—family, work, faith, or even through books and historical figures.
• Legacy of Teaching: The greatest inheritance you can give is the wisdom and experience you share with others.
• Qualities of a Mentor: Effective mentors model humility, consistency, compassion, and a willingness to both teach and learn.
• Pay It Forward: Everyone has a responsibility to mentor others, just as they have been mentored themselves.

4. How does John Wooden define mentoring in "A Game Plan for Life"?

• More Than Formal Roles: Mentoring is not just a formal assignment; it’s any action that inspires, teaches, or models positive behavior for others.
• Both Verb and Noun: Wooden emphasizes that “mentor” is both something you do (actively teaching) and something you are (being observed and learned from).
• Difference from Hero Worship: A mentor earns respect and trust, not just admiration; they help others become better versions of themselves.
• Universal and Reciprocal: Mentoring is a two-way street—everyone should seek mentors and strive to be one.

5. Who were the seven mentors that shaped John Wooden’s life, according to "A Game Plan for Life"?

• Joshua Wooden: His father, who taught him contentment, humility, and provided seven rules for living.
• Earl Warriner: His elementary school principal and basketball coach, who modeled discipline, consistency, and principled leadership.
• Glenn Curtis: His high school coach, who demonstrated that coaching is teaching and stressed fundamentals and organization.
• Piggy Lambert: His college coach at Purdue, who emphasized team spirit, adaptability, and acting on principles.
• Mother Teresa: A mentor from afar, whose life of service and humility inspired Wooden’s approach to faith and compassion.
• Abraham Lincoln: Another distant mentor, whose resilience, wisdom, and ability to forgive influenced Wooden’s leadership style.
• Nellie Wooden: His wife, who taught him about trust, love, and partnership through her unwavering support and faith.

6. What are the main lessons John Wooden learned from his father, Joshua Wooden, as described in "A Game Plan for Life"?

• Seven Rules for Living: Joshua gave John a card with seven principles, including “Be true to yourself” and “Make each day your masterpiece.”
• Leading by Example: Joshua modeled humility, gentleness, and contentment, teaching more through actions than words.
• Handling Adversity: He demonstrated resilience and a refusal to complain or blame others, even in the face of great loss.
• Value of Knowledge: Joshua believed in lifelong learning and sharing wisdom, emphasizing that everything known is learned from someone else.

7. How does "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden illustrate the different types of mentors one can have?

• Personal Mentors: Individuals whose values and principles guide everyday life, such as family members or close friends.
• Professional Mentors: Those who provide practical wisdom and inspiration in career or skill development.
• Leadership Mentors: Authority figures who shape character through discipline, judgment, and example.
• Faith Mentors: Spiritual guides who help deepen understanding and purpose, whether through direct contact or study.
• Distant Mentors: People like Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln, whose lives and writings can mentor us even without personal interaction.

8. What specific advice does John Wooden give for becoming an effective mentor in "A Game Plan for Life"?

• Model the Behavior: Be consistent, honest, and live out the values you wish to impart—people learn as much from what you do as what you say.
• Share Experience, Not Just Opinion: Offer advice rooted in your own experiences, including mistakes and lessons learned.
• Encourage and Correct: Support mentees, but also provide loving correction when needed, always with their best interests at heart.
• Be Open to Learning: Remain receptive to being mentored yourself, regardless of age or status.

9. How does John Wooden’s "Pyramid of Success" fit into the mentoring philosophy of "A Game Plan for Life"?

• Foundation for Teaching: The Pyramid of Success is a framework Wooden developed to teach life and leadership skills, not just basketball.
• Emphasizes Fundamentals: It highlights qualities like industriousness, enthusiasm, and cooperation as building blocks for achievement.
• Universal Application: The pyramid’s principles are applicable to any field or relationship, reinforcing the book’s message that mentoring is about building character.
• Passed Down to Mentees: Many of Wooden’s mentees, including famous athletes, credit the Pyramid for their success on and off the court.

10. Who are some of the notable people John Wooden mentored, as discussed in "A Game Plan for Life," and what impact did he have on them?

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Wooden taught him consistency, self-control, and the value of education, influencing his life beyond basketball.
• Bill Walton: Learned the importance of fundamentals, teamwork, and life lessons that extended into his broadcasting and parenting.
• Andy Hill: Initially a dissatisfied bench player, Hill later realized the depth of Wooden’s mentorship and applied those lessons to a successful business career.
• Roy Williams and Dale Brown: Both prominent coaches who sought out Wooden’s advice and incorporated his philosophies into their own coaching and mentoring styles.
• Bob Vigars and Cori Nicholson: Individuals who never played for Wooden but were deeply influenced by his writings and example, demonstrating the reach of his mentorship.

11. What are some of the best quotes from "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden, and what do they mean?

• “Make each day your masterpiece.” – Encourages living intentionally and giving your best effort every day.
• “There is nothing you know that you haven’t learned from someone else.” – Stresses the importance of humility and the value of learning from others.
• “Don’t whine, don’t complain, don’t make excuses. Just do the best you can.” – Advocates personal responsibility and resilience in the face of adversity.
• “Mentoring is both a verb and a noun.” – Reminds us that mentoring is about both action and being a role model, whether we realize it or not.

12. How can readers apply the mentoring lessons from "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden to their own lives?

• Seek Out Mentors: Be proactive in finding people whose lives and values inspire you, whether in person or through books and history.
• Be a Mentor: Recognize your responsibility to share your experiences and wisdom with others, regardless of your position or age.
• Practice Consistency and Integrity: Live out your values daily, knowing that others are watching and learning from your example.
• Embrace Lifelong Learning: Stay open to new lessons and perspectives, understanding that mentoring is a continuous, reciprocal process.