It has returned!! One of my favorite spectator sports is college basketball. In order not to offend anyone, I will hold back from sharing with you who my three favorite teams are. I know that many of you would take it personally, so I will avoid the temptation altogether.

One person who has taught both basketball and life to many a player and person is John Wooden. Arguably, he was one of the greatest coaches to coach the game. You may not find much of what he did, personally, on the court but he taught life to many young men who played under him and to all of those who have ever read things he has authored.  Many have become winners, on the court and off, from John Wooden’s leadership instruction.

Over the next few weeks, I want to share some of the traits, or lessons, that Coach Wooden has shared regarding success. I believe they are things that you want in your own personally life and they will make you a better person with each one that you employ.

If you look, coach Wooden created a pyramid of these traits. On the bottom, are the foundation five, my words not his, of success. Creating this layer of foundational principles will support the principles that ride above. (Those will be written on in subsequent posts).  He called this the “Pyramid of Success” and it is built on layers.

Across the bottom of his pyramid are five qualities that serve as that foundation.

1. Industrious - ” Success travels in the company of very hard work.  There is no trick, no easy way”.  It really is true.  Very few people are ever lucky.  In all areas of life, most successful people have had to work hard at what they do.  Marriage, family, management, leaders, self made wealthy individuals – hard work has allowed them to be “lucky”.

2. Friendship – “Strive to build a team filled with camaraderie and respect – comrades-in-arms.”  Working together as a team should be more than just getting the job done.  We should always look to be a help to those around us and working to build strong relationships with each other.  Friendship goes a long way….

3. Loyalty – “Be true to yourself. Be true to those you lead.”  Enough said!

4. Cooperation – “Have utmost concern for what’s right rather than who’s right.”  It has been attributed to many, including Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar and John Wooden, who said, “It is amazing how much can be accomplished, if no one cares who gets the credit”.  Cooperation is a strong component to s strong team.

5. Enthusiasm – “Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” Be excited about what you do and why you do it.  Your positive enthusiasm is contagious to those around you.

Five qualities of a strong foundation in life.

Unless you have had your head stuck in the sand recently, you are aware that Bank of America has announced they will begin charging for debit card usage later this winter.  Other big banks are already following behind them, but their news may not have been as widely publicized.  Big banks have decided that one continued way to make money is right on top of you – and now in your use of a debit card.

As a financial coach who teaches people to be responsible and deliberate in their spending, I am ok with the news.  Really, the debit card, just like other pieces of plastic, will enable you to overspend.  I recently wrote a blog about that and you can read it here.  However, if you continue to use the debit card be prepared 1) pay the monthly cost and 2) be subject to spend more than you want or should.

Beyond the big bank that has now made you unhappy, you can also thank our friends in Washington.  In their effort to make things better for everyone, they continue to tell banks where they can make money or profit.  So, when the big banks find the road closed in one spot they try to find a detour.  This post is in no way a debate on how much profit they should make, but simply keeping in focus with the debit card.

Am I against the debit card – NO.  Big banks – NO.  What I am for is your ability to live within your financial means and a very large number of people can not stay on track or plan with a debit card.

So what are you to do?  Shop around if the debit card is a must.  Find another bank that will not charge you for a debit card and, while you are shopping, do not forget credit unions.

In the last few days I have heard and read of theories that the big banks are not specifically trying to get money from you for a debit card, but that they may be trying their best to push you back to a credit card (they may make it “fee”) so that you can overspend as you did in the past.  Could that be the case?  Could their revenue push be in the form of interest?

However, for those of you who really want to get ahead – throw out the debit card, save your monthly charge, and get on a plan you can stick with it.  You can live without a debit card.  Right now, I have several clients who have cut up their debit card, have it frozen in the freezer, or locked in a safe – they have taken control of themselves!

Just so you know, most places still take cash!

I meet people almost everyday who want to change their finances. Many of those same people are hoping I can use a magic want to fix all of the issues that they are currently experiencing. The problem is that they have experienced these issues for some time and it is going to take some time to get out of the mess they now find themselves in.  They do not necessarily want to hear that piece.

Regardless of what you hear on the radio, see on TV, or read in the paper – it is hard work fixing your finances. Many of you find yourselves in tremendous debt or staring at what appears to be a bleak future. It will take time and effort to change things. The worse the situation is the more time and harder the work will be to climb out.  You can, however, climb out, but do you have what it takes?

Some do. Many do not. Like that painful plan to lose weight and get in shape, making the necessary changes in the way you live and manage money send many off the deep end. Committed?   Yes, till they find out what they are committing to.

What keeps you from building your finances? What keeps you from getting control of your money? What keeps you from getting out of debt? What keeps you from allowing yourself to be an example, financially, to your children and others around you?

Do you really mean business?

In between clients today, I have had an opportunity to keep up with the Apple events announcing a new iPhone and a new operating system.  For those who know me, I am very excited about this new iOS5 system and its capabilities.

While I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new system, I am amazed at all the hype going on over Apple and its products.  For what seems to be weeks speculation has grown trying to anticipate what would be announced.  There is nothing wrong with that, I might add, and I actually am impressed with how Apple does it.  Many could learn from their marketing techniques.

However, are people not aware that the world is crumbling all around them?  We are on a financial cliff – here and Europe.  A presidential election is getting underway.  The Federal Reserve chairman told Congress today that we need to spend more and not cut spending or we are in trouble.  (As a side note, I wonder if he is personally in debt up to his eyeballs?) The Supreme Court may hear Obamacare.  So much more…. At least according to the news media….

And everyone is hyped about a mobile phone?

Have you been to an Apple store in the last three years since this economic calamity started?  There is NEVER a recession there!  People are typically lined wall to wall playing with and purchasing Apple products.

No, I am not against Apple.  In fact, quite the opposite and far from it.    I just wonder how concerned people really are about things that are really important to them or do they recognize that there are things impacting their future.

Just a thought….