Tying Your Shoes and other Boring Keys to Success
October 19th, 2009 Posted in Leadership, Newsletter
Two weeks ago I wrote about Keeping Your Eye on the Ball (click to read article) and incidentally mentioned how while playing tennis I had blisters on my feet. This prompted Randy to respond on my blog and share the following funny comment.
“Jon, excellent post. But…blisters? I was reminded of a Coach John Wooden principle that first you have to teach your players how to tie their shoes correctly — no one can play well and persevere with sore feet! THEN, you can keep your eyes on the ball!!”
As someone who has also studied the leadership of John Wooden I knew I had effectively been called out. Randy was right. Preparation is everything and you must not only focus on the ball but focus on the preparation and fundamentals that help you hit the ball most effectively.
So often we fail because we fail to prepare. We focus on hitting the ball but we forget to take the time to tie our shoes tight before the game starts.
I’ve heard it said that people spend more time planning their summer vacation than their life. We want success but we are either not willing or forget to do the little, ordinary and boring things that are essential to succeed.
My friend is the VP of sales of a fast growing company and a part of their business involves a customer service center. One of their essential service goals is for their employees to answer the phone within 2 rings.
“What happens if it goes beyond 2 rings,” I asked.
“It’s Code Red,” he said.
Their focus on the ordinary and boring details of their business has enabled them to thrive.
I encourage you to think about the boring but essential fundamentals of your business and job. Have you mastered them? Have your employees mastered them? How prepared are you? How much do you practice? Have you trained your team to be their best?
As Chuck Noll said, “Champions do ordinary things better than everyone else.”
If you and your team want to be your best you must master the obvious, excel at the ordinary and do the little things that 
create big results.
As for me, Randy’s blog comment made me go out and get a new pair of shoes that were a size smaller. And before each practice I make sure to tie them tight. Now, I’m truly prepared and ready to keep my eye on the ball. Thanks Randy!
Be Your Best and Bring Out the Best in Others,
Jon
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Tags: champions, john wooden, jon gordon, Leadership, preparation, success
11 Responses to “Tying Your Shoes and other Boring Keys to Success”
By Jeremy on Oct 19, 2009
It is good to know that even the greatest of leaders is not perfect. We all have room to improve and grow. Thanks Jon for sharing this story.
By on Oct 19, 2009
Jon,
It is amazing how one comment sparks another. Gary Keller in his book The Millionaire Real Estate Agent writes “It is NOT about the money!” It is about what the money will do for you. The book is about building a business, any business not just real estate, but guess what, it is about the basics. Seeing what your business will look like when it is finished (available for sale) and then setting up the basic organization that will get you there focusing along the way on the “little” things you need to do what others most likely will not do to get there.
Gymbeaux
By David Farra on Oct 19, 2009
Jon,
Doing the ordinary things better… genius!
Your weekly words of wisdom truly set my week off to a good start. I impart them to my team at our Monday morning meetings. Keep them coming!
Dave
By Shelby on Oct 19, 2009
John, I love how you are looking not only for ways to teach important lessons in life but also for ways to learn yourself. Thanks for the positive encouragement through your books and newsletters and reminding us that to truly be alive is to both teach and be teachable.
Have a great week.
By Shelby on Oct 19, 2009
John,
I love how you are looking not only for ways to teach important lessons in life but also for ways to learn yourself. Thanks for the positive encouragement through your books and newsletters and reminding us that to truly be alive is to both teach and be teachable.
Have a great week.
By Don Yaeger on Oct 19, 2009
John: I always enjoy your insight. Ironically, I just authored a book with John Wooden. It came out last week on his 99th birthday. On that day, I wrote about his annual “shoes and socks” lesson. That brief can be found at http://www.donyaeger.com/index.php?page=newsletter Would love your feedback!
Keep up the good work…Don Yaeger
By rob on Oct 19, 2009
yes, i love this!
By Del Scrivner on Oct 21, 2009
Jon,
I agree with being prepared so I will give you my experience with my blisters.
I hike a fair amount in Arizona, where as you can imagine it can get a little toasty.
I struggled for some time with hot, sweaty feet and blisters, and had started wearing two pairs of socks some years ago.
I recently read an excellent book on thru-hiking (multiple days to multiple months) called “Trail Life” by Ray Jardine (available directly from Ray and his wife Jenny at rayjardine.com).
To help even further he suggests to wear socks made of thin man made fabrics such as nylon, polyester or olefin instead of cotton- which so many of us think is the greatest fabric in the world.
The synthetic fabrics wick the moisture away from the feet and allow them to dry much better helping reduce one of the causes of blisters- excess moisture. (Plus my shoes smell better too- FREE bonus.)
Secondarily, the friction is then transferred between the two pairs of socks rubbing against each other and not your foot agaist the shoe.
Finally I will add that Ray gave me one more tip which has proven useful too. Buy your shoes larger if you are EXTREMELY active as you feet will swell as the day goes on and cause them to rub inside the shoes as well, if they fit too snugly. Ray sometimes buys shoes 2 - 3 sizes too large.
The larger shoes work well for hiking multiple days, but may be innappropriate for an hour of tennis due to it’s short duration and the constant stop on a dime, twist and pivot action of the feet.
I was told once that it’s not: “Practice makes perfect”, but “Perfect practice makes perfect”.
So maybe it’s also: “Specific preparation makes success easier”.
Oh and by the way the book Trail Life is also a commentary on self reliance, life and success as well as probably one of the best books ever written on hiking and camping. If you read it don’t be surprised if you find yourself sewing your own tarp (tent), and backpack together and hitting the trail with less then 10 pounds of gear.
By Randy on Oct 27, 2009
Jon,
You’re welcome!!
By Dr Laraine on Oct 28, 2009
Hi Jon,
What a great service you are providing.
Your tips are hopeful, and great reminders of ways to reclaim positive habits which can gather momentum and improve lives and careers.
Preparation and fundamentals are only intermittently reinforced by our current culture. The quick-fix often takes the power position, and long-term goals and benefits are thus diminished by lack of vision.
Cheers for the ordinary and boring details which support the more exciting elements of our successes — in business, sports, relationships, well, in Life!
By evolution on Dec 17, 2009
good post,good ideal
http://www.evolution-shoes.com/Skateboard-shoes-c2.html