MVP Tom Brady’s superpower might not be talent at after all.
Nearly half of all American families will be tuning into Super Bowl 55, and likely one particular name that will be coming up over and over again.
Tom Brady.
THE GOAT according to many, set to play in his 10th Superbowl on Sunday,. Tom is undoubtedly the role model and idol of so many kids, teens and adults alike. Did you know Tom Brady:
- Sat the bench for two years at the University of Michigan
- Was the 199th player drafted into the New England Patriots in the 6th round. (His college stats were “average”)
- Led New England Patriots to win Super bowl LI in what is named the most epic post season comeback in history. (Tom passed 466 yards to pull off a win against the Atlanta Falcons when they were trailing 28-3)
- Is the oldest player in the NFL at age 43 and the first to take his team to the Super bowl in the first year of playing with the team.
We just can’t help but to be inspired by these types of victories. We love them because we love a comeback and pictures of perseverance and determination. They encompass more than talent, but of a champion mindset. A winning mindset is beyond and has no limits. So how do we foster this in ourselves and in our children?
Professor Carol Dweck and author of Mindset: The Psychology of Success eludes to a certain danger in praising born attributes such as talent or intellect. She says it is profoundly more effective to encourage and praise effort, strategy, and progress. In her Ted Talk, Carol discusses the hardship posed on young ones with a fixed mindset. She says “…Instead of luxuriating in the power of yet, they were gripped in the tyranny of now.”
Luxuriating in the Power of YET.
Gripped by the tyranny of NOW.
Imagine if Tom Brady was caught in the “tyranny of now”. Would he be here 21 years after his “average” college football career?”
Researchers have identified key traits of people who are high achievers and they have little to do with athletic ability or talent. You will see they not only remain the key qualities that set MVP’s like Tom Brady ahead of the rest, but he is fiercely devoted to his protecting his own mindset which time and time shows itself in plays, stats and wins. How empowering it is to know that we can cultivate these characteristics in our kids now rather than hope talent emerges on it’s own.
Passion/Vision:
The only thing I ever wanted to be was a professional football player.
Tom Brady
Research shows those with a clear vision of what they want are more successful and even more physically active than those who don’t. The challenge can simply be identifying a passion in a young adult. In a world where ANYTHING is possible, how do you help someone who is just discovering life discover their passion?
Consider these questions:
- What have you tried once or twice but have really enjoyed?
- Who are your role models?
- When do you feel most alive?
Goal Setting & Strategy
“If you don’t play to win, don’t play at all.
tom brady
Individuals who are successful typically have a clear cut goal and a strategy in place.
Help your child take their big 30,000 foot dream, understand their reasons for wanting what they want, then help them create actionable steps they can take this year, this month, this week and today. Allowing for near term goal-setting will promote confidence and determination. Goals should be challenging, yet attainable.
Belief, Mindset & Visualization
You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one.
tom Brady
Belief in oneself and motivation are the strongest predictors of ability to change. Self confidence and self efficacy are two powerful agents to belief, but they need to be nurtured and developed in baby steps – small goals over time and visualization. Carol Dweck says we can nurture mindset with praise. Praising for the process versus praising for the outcome. Remind your child that by pushing their comfort zone they are actually strengthening neurons to form stronger connections in their brains!
Persistence, Grit & Learning
I have a memory, and I can just eliminate mistakes when they come up because I’ve already made them.
tom brady
If failure is the best teacher, allow your child to get frustrated. Remind them that most goals start out with excitement, but the middle zone of anything worthwhile is muddy, hard, frustrating, and the zone where most give up. Remind your child difficulty and hard situations are not equivalent to being dumb or incompetent, but they are an opportunity to become better. Confidence and satisfaction are a result of putting yourself in difficult situations and overcoming them.
Physical Health
The biggest issue is muscle pliability. That’s what I think the biggest secret to me is. What is muscle pliability? Muscle pliability is keeping your muscles long and soft.”
Tom Brady
Did you know that Tom Brady drinks 25 cups of water a day, eats a diet that consists 80% of fruits and vegetables? Has a rigid sleep schedule, loves yoga, incorporates transcendental meditation, and prefers bands workouts over dumbbells for long, pliable muscle tissue (you can learn more here) . Great news for those of us who don’t have access to a home gym! Have a set of bands in a closet somewhere? Dust those bad boys off and try this Band Strength/HIIT Workout with your Teen (Not recommended for kids under 13)
There are still odds to defy, and there are MVP’s in the making. Let’s keep growing!
Until next time, #BUILDEMUP
Kat
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