I’m currently embroiled in a big old brief at work and as a consequence came accross this little nugget of information. I think its aimed at basketball players but there is a core message for all of us in our lives, that I think will resonate for most people.

Each block in the Pyramid was selected with meticulous care and consideration over many years and after a variety of experiences in my life. Some of the blocks selected in the early years were discarded when I concluded they were less than essential. Other blocks were put in different positions within the structure as I learned more with time.

The position of each block and the specific order of the tiers of blocks in the Pyramid have great importance, starting with the foundation and cornerstones and building up to the apex; own personal success.

Building a Solid Foundation for Success

In 1934 I chose two blocks as the cornerstones of my Pyramid of Success without any clear knowledge of how many blocks it would eventually have of its eventual size. That would come only after hundreds of hours of reflection over a period of fourteen years.

I did know that at the top of the Pyramid, at the apex, was success as defined by many of the teachings Dad had given us back on the farm. To those I added my own ideas gained from experience.

So in 1934 I began by putting in place two huge and powerful blocks as the cornerstones of the Pyramid, two fundamental personal qualities that I wouldn’t change if I had to do it over again today in 1997, because without them you will not succeed. These are the biggest and most essential blocks in the Pyramid: industriousness and enthusiasm. Let me tell you a little about both of them.

Between the Cornerstones: The Foundation

No structure is going to be very strong and solid unless it has a sturdy foundation. The blocks in between my two cornerstones make a strong and solid foundation because they include others, and when we include others we’re adding tremendous strength.

Those additional blocks of the foundation are friendship, loyalty, and cooperation. Their great importance is that they being together and amplify the qualities at the cornerstones: industriousness and enthusiasm. The additional blocks show that it takes united effort to succeed.

Building on the Solid Foundation: Self-control, Alertness, Initiative, and Intentness

No edifice is going to be better than its structural foundation, just as no individual is better than his or her mental foundation. Those five blocks-friendship, loyalty, cooperation, and the powerful cornerstones of industriousness and enthusiasm-are the strong and sturdy foundation upon which you build success.

Once this had been constructed I put in place the second tier, four blocks that build on the solid foundation: self-control, alertness, initiative, and intentness.

Three More Strong Blocks: Condition, Skill, and Team Spirit

In the third tier I put what I think is the heart of the Pyramid. It may seem to apply to athletics alone, but it doesn’t. The personal characteristics in the third tier apply equally to individuals and teams anywhere.

These blocks are condition, skill, and team spirit.

Nearing the Peak: Poise and Confidence

Near the apex of the Pyramid are poise and confidence. I believe these two important blocks of the structure are the natural result of the personal qualities that we put in place below. Poise and confidence ensue from all the other blocks.

That is why the exact order of the tiers and the blocks in those tiers is so important. I don’t believe poise or confidence can come about until all the other blocks are in place.

The Mortar: Patience and Faith

Just above competitive greatness I have placed patience and faith, two essential qualities that are like mortar keeping the individual blocks firmly in place. Patience and faith are really present throughout the Pyramid, holding everything together.

The Apex: Success

The highest point of a pyramid is called the apex. In our Pyramid, it is success. Above the block of competitive greatness and above patience and faith, at the very pinnacle, representing the culmination of all the qualities working together below, those powerful blocks we put in place, is success.

True success is attained only through the satisfaction of knowing you did everything within the limits of your ability to become the very best that you are capable of being.

Success is not perfection. You can never attain perfection as I understand it. Nevertheless, it is the goal.

Success is giving 100 percent of your effort, body, mind, and soul, to the struggle. That you can attain. That is success.

As a coach, leader, and teacher you’re to bring individuals up to their greatest level of competence, and then meet the real challenge of putting them together as a group. That can be extremely difficult. The Pyramid shows the way.

As an individual you strive to bring forth your best. The Pyramid has allowed me to accomplish that, and with it, to achieve a very precious commodity: peace of mind.

What is so important to recognize is that you are totally in control of your success-not your opponent, not the judges, critics, media, or anyone else. It’s up to you. That’s all you can ask for; the chance to determine your success by yourself.