What it Takes to Be Number One

Vince Lombardi, Jr., son of the famous Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, wrote a book titled What It Takes to be Number One.  The book is a short read and contains quotes from Coach Lombardi and lots of photos of the coach in action.

The table of contents of the books lists:  What it takes to be number one: commitment, discipline, excellence, mental toughness, habit, faith, passion, results and truth. Each chapter is a reflection of the philosophy of the coach and what it means to be number one.

Here are some great quotes from coach Lombardi:

“Runing a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization – an army, a political party or a business. The principles are the same.”

“Winning is not a some time thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while …. you do them right all the time.”

“Once you have established the goals you want and the price you’re willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponent’s pressure and the temporary failures.”

“They call it coaching, but it is teaching. You do not just tell them …. you show them the reasons.”

“Confidence is contagious and so is lack of confidence, and a customer will recognize both.”

“Morally, the life of the organization must be of exemplary nature.  This is one phase where the organization must not have criticism.”

“Winning is a habit.”

Watch your thoughts, they become your beliefs.

Watch your beliefs, they become your words.

Watch your words, they become your actions.

Watch your actions, they become your habits.

Watch your habits, they become your character.

The football season has begun. Cheer not only the players out on the field, but the most important players on your team – your employees.