Put in the necessary work and preparation before expecting any results, as success requires an upfront investment of effort.
Adopt a daily game plan: “Do your job, work hard, be attentive, and put the team first.” This formula applies consistently, regardless of the situation, to improve and contribute to winning.
Prioritize “keeping from losing” by eliminating self-inflicted errors, such as pre-snap penalties, post-whistle fouls, turnovers, or lack of hydration, which are within your control and prevent you from achieving your best.
True hard work means being productive and accomplishing set goals during your time, rather than just “checking the box” or putting in hours without achieving anything.
Consistently stacking day-to-day improvements over a sustained period can level out talent differences, allowing individuals with strong work ethic to surpass more talented but less diligent peers.
Pay the price of success in advance through comprehensive, proactive preparation, continuously working and studying on the front end, rather than letting up or wishing you had done more after the fact.
Embrace the pain of preparation, as it is far less enduring and impactful than the lasting pain of regret from not having put in the necessary work.
Before striving for spectacular plays, consistently execute the regular, normal plays with concentration and discipline, as mastering fundamentals is crucial for success.
Focus on building a cohesive “team of teams” where individuals and sub-units function efficiently together, rather than merely collecting talented individuals, to achieve overall championship success.
Focus on building trust and respect with the people you work with daily, as these real-world relationships are paramount and more important than social media validation or external opinions.
Earn the trust and respect of your teammates and colleagues every day by being prepared and demonstrating your commitment to helping the team win, which builds a cohesive unit.
When you have absolute trust and confidence in your teammates to do their jobs, it eliminates hesitation and allows you to perform your own role more aggressively and effectively.
When facing difficult challenges or wanting to quit, remember you are performing not just for the team, but for the person next to you, relying on each other for mutual protection and success.
As you progress in your career, continue to evolve your skills, learn new approaches, and find different ways to be productive, even if they are outside your comfort zone, to maintain high performance.
After a game (win, loss, or draw), dedicate 24 hours to analyze what went well, what went poorly, and what adjustments are needed, then move on to focus entirely on the next challenge.
After a significant setback, acknowledge the failure, learn from it, and then quickly move on to the next challenge to prevent one bad performance from becoming a habit of multiple bad performances.
In high-pressure situations where time is limited, quickly identify what went wrong and implement corrections to prevent recurrence and maintain performance.
When you make a mistake, own it immediately and clearly communicate it to your team; this clarity prevents a blame game, allows for quick adjustments, and builds trust.
If the cause of a mistake is unclear, quickly diagnose the root issue, whether it involves individuals or systemic factors, to prevent the same problem from recurring.
Follow principles to manage external and internal pressures: “ignore the noise” from external critics, “manage expectations” by focusing on immediate, realistic goals, “speak for yourself” to avoid speculating for others, and “don’t believe the fuel or hype” when things are going well.
Disregard opinions and predictions from external sources who lack internal knowledge, and instead focus on communication and feedback from those within your immediate team or organization.
Set realistic, immediate expectations, such as having a good day or winning the current week’s challenge, rather than focusing on distant, uncontrollable outcomes or individual accolades, always prioritizing the team first.
Avoid contributing to or believing in premature hype and unrealistic expectations, especially when things are going well, as it creates distractions and can lead to complacency.
Only make comments or predictions about your own performance and actions, avoiding speculation or setting expectations for others.
Individuals who genuinely love to compete are determined to work hard, prepare thoroughly, and push to the very end, ultimately getting the most out of their talent, even if less naturally gifted.
Organize unusual, low-stakes competitive events, like having linemen catch punts, to foster team building and camaraderie as teammates rally to support each other.
Talent alone is insufficient at elite levels; consistently apply your talent through hard work and a good training regimen to avoid being replaced or having your career cut short by injury.
Great performers distinguish themselves by consistently delivering high-level results even when they are the primary target of opponents’ strategies and receive intense scrutiny.
Regardless of past successes or failures, view each day as a fresh opportunity to improve and make the most of it, rather than dwelling on what has already happened.
Recognize your current standing and the amount of “slack” you’ve earned; if you don’t have a strong track record, you have no room for error and must be consistently attentive and productive.
While striving for consistency, acknowledge that some individuals may earn more latitude or exceptions to rules based on their past contributions and demonstrated reliability, requiring a flexible approach in professional environments.
Clearly communicate and strictly enforce rules, especially during critical periods like a Super Bowl, to maintain security, focus, and prevent distractions or potential issues.
Start at the bottom of an organization and perform foundational tasks to gain a comprehensive understanding of how everything functions, which builds appreciation for others’ roles and enables effective problem-solving at higher levels.
For younger professionals, embrace and thoroughly understand foundational jobs, rather than rushing through them, as this deep understanding will be invaluable for long-term career progression and effectiveness.
To move up in responsibility, first train someone else to effectively perform your current valuable role, ensuring continuity and efficiency for the organization.
Shun the “not my job” mentality and address tasks promptly, as quick completion allows for greater productivity and prevents procrastination from slowing everything down.
Be fully present and committed to your current job, rather than viewing it merely as a stepping stone, to thoroughly understand its nuances and build the necessary foundation for future advancement.
Understand discipline as the consistent, repetitive execution of the right actions every time, as this consistency is what truly separates high performers.
Practice discipline consistently in all areas, even when unobserved (like returning a shopping cart), by adhering to your productive routines and not letting external factors disrupt them.
Recognize that motivation is individual; tailor your approach by challenging some, or by highlighting personal rewards for others, to effectively inspire different personalities.
Motivate individuals by showing how their contribution to a team goal (e.g., blocking) can create future opportunities or rewards that align with their personal aspirations (e.g., catching a pass).
Employ symbolic rituals, like “burying the ball,” to visually and emotionally mark the end of a past failure, allowing you to put it out of your mind and move forward.
In challenging situations, maintain confidence by focusing on whether you have control of the game (the process and execution) rather than just the score, as good process can eventually lead to desired outcomes.