Entrepreneurs love to think of themselves as "breaking out of the mold" or "challenging the norm," yet far too many model their careers after industry professionals who've gone before them. Though there's certainly value in studying those who've been in your shoes, you want to be careful that you don't merely mimic what they've done. Instead, it's wise to look at successful people from other industries, and and apply the lessons that they've imparted.
For example, did you know that there's actually a lot to learn from Tom Brady's career as an NFL quarterback? While it may seem strange to look to a professional football player for entrepreneurial guidance, the reality is that he can teach you some invaluable lessons.
The Tom Brady Story
In order fully to appreciate Tom Brady's success, you have to consider his past. It's a big part of his story and makes his career even more incredible. Though it may be hard to believe, Brady hasn't always been the "golden boy" that he is today.
Brady was born on August 3, 1977 in San Mateo, California, where he'd eventually attend Junipero Serra High School. Brady was a standout athlete, both in football and baseball -- getting drafted by the Montreal Expos as a catcher in the 18th round. However, Brady ultimately chose to enroll at Michigan, and play quarterback for the Wolverines.
Brady wasn't exactly a Heisman player while at Michigan. He had success, but he was never a top NFL prospect. He only played in six games during his freshman and sophomore seasons and didn't throw a touchdown pass until his junior year. However, he did earn the moniker of "Comeback Kid," thanks to his ability to lead Michigan to comeback wins against Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana, and Alabama.
NFL scouts didn't see much in Brady. In 2000, he was selected with the 199th pick in the draft -- a compensatory sixth round pick -- by the New England Patriots. He started the season as the fourth string quarterback but ultimately worked his way up to second string. By the following season (2001) he claimed the starting job from Drew Bledsoe and was named to the Pro Bowl.
During his storied career, Brady has led the Patriots to six Super Bowls (four victories), has thrown 428 touchdown passes, has been selected for 11 Pro Bowls, has earned dozens of endorsements, and has pulled in hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings. How's that for a career?
Four Lessons From #12
If you were to use a few words to describe Tom Brady and his career, words like "elite," "successful," "persistent," and "hard-working" would come to mind. Are these not words that you wish people would use to describe your own career? While you can love him or hate him as an athlete, there's no denying that Tom Brady is the personification of modern success. Here are some of the top lessons to be gleaned from his wide-ranging achievements:
1. Don't Settle for What Comes First
In the business world, you'll often see young entrepreneurs settle for the first good thing that comes along. This may come in the form of a job opportunity, product idea, or startup. Well, Brady shows us that waiting for the thing about which you're most passionate is better.
Brady could have signed on with the Montreal Expos organization as a baseball player in 1995. He would've gotten an immediate paycheck and could likely have been quite successful. However, his passion was football. So, he decided to wait and take his chances playing college football. Looking back, we can clearly see that he made the right choice. It likely wasn't an easy one, but it was certainly the right one.
As an entrepreneur, this is an important lesson to learn. In today's age of getting what you want when you want, waiting can be a challenge. However, calculated patience almost always pays off. It's why people like to say, "Good things happen to those who wait."
2. Never Let Your Guard Down
Premature celebration is dangerous. You should never let your guard down until something is actually accomplished. Because, as soon as you let your foot off the gas, there'll be somebody standing by to take what you've been working for. This is something in which Brady firmly believes. If you want a real life example, just look back at last year's Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks.
"The Patriots had to take the field and kneel down to make it official. After the first kneel, the Seahawks called a timeout," writes Kevin Van Valkenburg, ESPN Senior Writer. "The Patriots would need to execute things one more time to officially put a bow on the victory."
"Several players began to hug, soaking up the enormity of the moment. When Brady saw this, he went bonkers, yanking his teammates back into the huddle, demanding they maintain their focus for one last play. He was taking nothing for granted. He didn't care what anyone thought. He was going to be a maniacal competitor right to the very end."
That's how Brady is all of the time. The cameras just happened to catch this exchange. As an entrepreneur, you also need to battle to the very end. Never take anything for granted until it's been completed, signed, or accomplished.
3. Stand Firm Under Duress
Being successful comes with a lot of pressure and outside noise. Whether you followed it closely or not, you know that the "Deflategate" scandal was a big deal. It had the potential to ruin Brady's career and personal image. However, Brady stood firm and never wavered on his innocence. While some will argue that he's a liar, you have to admire his ability to stand strong amidst the media frenzy.
Brady brought his teammates together, committed to remaining focused, and kept doing his job. He let the lawyers and legal team handle all of the other stuff. In the end, it was his unwavering leadership and confidence that allowed him to remain productive during these challenging times.
As entrepreneur Jordan Fliegel writes, "When faced with upheaval, it's your job as the founder or CEO to keep your team on track, to unify them around your common mission and deliver a plan for how you'll get through different outcomes." This is exactly what Brady did.
4. Understand your Strengths and Weaknesses
Brady is a master of identifying strengths and weaknesses. He does it with himself, his team, and his opponents. For example, Brady understands that he isn't a fast or agile runner. As such, he almost always throws the ball out of bounds when he doesn't have an open receiver. This is him actively recognizing his own weaknesses.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you recognize them? Being successful isn't about pretending that you have everything together. It's about maximizing what you have and offsetting what you don't.
Becoming Tom Brady
Again, you may love or hate Tom Brady; that's not the point. Whether you're a die-hard New England Patriots fan or didn't watch a snap of football this season, Brady is someone after whom you should strive to model your career. In particular, you'll want to study the lessons mentioned here. While Brady may go by the title of "NFL quarterback," he's ultimately a successful entrepreneur.