And He's Got Cool Hair

I went through a period in my life about twelve years ago where I listened to a lot of motivational speakers and read their books in an attempt to, I don't know, make life more organized, set goals and priorities, and make my life a success in whatever I did, I guess. Isn't that what these self-help gurus are supposed to do? I just knew that a lot successful people had listened to these people so I might as well, also.

Quite frankly, I found most of it crap. I don't respond well to gimmicks.

I found that most of the motivation and inspiration generated while learning these life lessons was immediately lost once I put down the book or stopped the tape.

Most of these guys had never produced anything other than the self-help messages I was reading or listening to. Tony Robbins? Sure, he's an interesting guy - but what has he done? I like Stephen Covey enough but throwing out big words and catchy phrases doesn't do much for me; besides, I don't need to chart and graph my life to find out what works for me and what doesn't.

If I'm gonna take advice from somebody who is supposed to help me gain additional insight into what motivates me, I want some results behind that advice. I want to take larger principles and apply them to something comparable in my own life.

Enter Pat Riley. Riley is perhaps the most successful person involved every level of the NBA - as a player, coach, and in the front office (non-owner). Sure, there have been better players, maybe a few better coaches, and maybe some better GM's; but not as a three-in-one.

His collection of championship rings doesn't fit on one hand; I figure he knows what he's talking about.

When I first read his book The Winner Within, much of it was lost on me. I only wanted to read basketball stories, not make sense of my life and succeed in business.

A few years later, I re-read the book and got quite a bit more from it. I discovered that Riley told his basketball stories in order to make a larger, and more subtle, lesson.

While he does tell neat basketball stories, he does so to paint a larger picture of dedication, failure, and eventual success. I was so amazed with his poignancy, that I typed out key themes (along with a few Sun Tzu quotes) and made a few dozen copies to keep for myself so I could read them years later. I still have several copies left that I look at about once a year for reflection.

Unfortunately, Riley's lessons are often best understood in hindsight. Still, it's a valuable learning experience to look back on my own life and point out moments that are representative of what he speaks about.

What I find most interesting about his cycle of commitment is he teaches it doesn't always have to last forever. Oftentimes, even the best thing in our life must come to an end. Change is good. And most of the time, change is reflected in attitude or some other mental manifestation.

Still, I want to pass on Riley's thoughts. They mean a lot to me, and maybe they will to you, also.


The INNOCENT CLIMB is the first rustling of our proper selves.

The DISEASE OF ME stages the most primitive assault on our own goodness.

The CORE COVENANT is a conscious fresh start through commitment to others.

THUNDERBOLTS test our conviction and our determination to stay the course.

The CHOKE reveals our deep-seated anxieties about being a winner.

BREAKTHROUGHS enable us to conquer our own self-devised handicaps.

COMPLACENCY deludes us to believe that we can ever do enough.

MASTERY teaches us that we must do more.

ANTEING UP turns Mastery into unbeatable excellence.

Until the Covenant's exhausted CORE CRACKS.

And, one must MOVE ON mentally--and perhaps physically, too--to a new rebirth.