The Super Bowl & Career Success: The Power of Planning, Commitment, and Execution

As I was watching the Super Bowl, I couldn’t help but think about career success. The Philadelphia Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX wasn’t just about talent—it was about preparation, resilience, and execution. Every championship team follows a blueprint for success, just as every successful professional must. As someone who believes that Luck is Not a Strategy, I see the Eagles’ triumph as a perfect reminder that success, whether in football or in your career, is built on three fundamental pillars: planning, commitment, and execution.

Walt Disney once said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” This philosophy is at the heart of winning—on the field, in the workplace, and life.

1. Planning: Champions Map Out Their Path

The Eagles didn’t just show up and hope for a win. They spent months analyzing opponents, refining strategies, and preparing for every possible scenario. They studied their strengths and weaknesses, made adjustments, and executed a game plan tailored for victory.

This is why I coach professionals to do a SWOT analysis—identifying your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Just as the Eagles assessed what they did well and where they needed improvement, you need to take a strategic approach to your career. What are your strongest skills? Where do you need to improve? What opportunities can you take advantage of? What threats or challenges might you face? When you take the time to evaluate these factors, you can create a game plan for your own success.

2. Commitment: Winners Stay the Course

Throughout the season, the Eagles faced setbacks and challenges. Injuries, tough losses, and high-pressure moments could have derailed them, but they stayed committed to their goal. Their unwavering belief in their preparation and ability to overcome adversity kept them focused.

In your career, setbacks are inevitable. Rejections, missed opportunities, and unexpected challenges will test your resolve. But commitment—choosing to keep going when things get tough—separates those who achieve their goals from those who don’t. The most successful professionals aren’t the luckiest but the most persistent.

3. Execution: Doing, Not Just Dreaming

The Super Bowl wasn’t won on a whiteboard—it was won on the field. A game plan is only as good as the players who execute it under pressure. The Eagles stepped onto the field with a clear strategy, but more importantly, they took action and adapted when necessary.

Too many people get stuck in the planning phase of their careers. They take courses, attend networking events, and read books—but they don’t take action. At some point, you have to stop thinking about success and start executing. Apply for the job, launch the business, pitch the idea—whatever it is, do the thing.

Super Bowl Champions & Career Champions: The Mindset is the Same

Realistically, most of us won't have the opportunity to play in the Caesars Superdome, but we can control our career success. Whether you’re leading a team to a championship or building a successful career, the formula is the same: Plan, commit, execute. Success isn’t random, and it isn’t reserved for the lucky—it’s the result of intentional effort, just like the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory.

So, as you think about your next career move, ask yourself: Am I preparing for success? Am I fully committed to my goals? Am I taking action every day?

Because, at the end of the day, luck is not a strategy.