John Wooden on the difference between winning and success

It's something to meditate on over the weekend, before you re-enter the rat race: what is the difference between winning and success? That's the topic of a TED presentation with basketball coach John Wooden. Wooden's casual, grandfatherly style is a great way to relax and revisit what matters most. He speaks from a long perspective - he's almost 100 years old. He starts by passing on some wisdom from his father:

"Never try to be better than someone else, always learn from others, and never cease trying to be the best you can be. That's under your control. And if you get to engrossed and involved and concerned in regard to things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect the things over which you do have control."

Wooden then adds his own definition of success: success is the "peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you're capable." Pretty down to earth advice. But also very insightful, because "winning" is usually success as defined by other people with external measurements. Points, money, popularity. These things make other people see you as a success, but they may not make you happy. Real success is what fulfills you personally, what brings you the most peace and happiness. And I agree with Wooden that this version of success probably involves a fair degree of effort, as well.