Your Next Step is All That Matters

“I don’t care about three years ago… I don’t care about two years ago. I don’t care about last year. The only thing I care about is this week.” — Tom Brady

Before the start of the NFL season two years ago, Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady shared a message with the world via Facebook. It was a fascinating insight into his thought process. First, he wanted to let everyone know about his desire to win a record-setting 5th Super Bowl for a NFL quarterback. But there was a lot more to the story.

It was brilliant, astute perspective from the ultimate champion — and what inspires him.

He told a story from his playing days at the University of Michigan. One that has shaped his athletic and personal life. I can tell you with confidence, it’s helped transform the way I look at my professional and personal endeavors. I’m here to tell it.

“The Next One”

When Brady played college football, he formed a friendship with the school’s long-time equipment manager, Jon Falk. That man had seen it all. He was there for the good and the bad. Mostly, lots of wins. Many conference championship teams, with accompanying championship rings. Even one national championship. Jon Falk was a man of wisdom who knew a winner when he saw one.

Brady recalled from one of his many conversations with the equipment manager, a valuable nugget of information. It was his senior season and everyone at Michigan was thinking about winning yet another Big 10 championship. Falk approached him and said, “Tom, you know what my favorite ring is? ‘The next one. That’s what I think: ‘The next one.’”

Hopefully this quote gives you the chills, just like it does for me. It’s a microcosm for how we should approach each new day. Think of it in the context of how you see the world around you.

Your next step. Next game. Next opportunity. Next relationship. Whatever is next, is really all that matters.

If you’re like me, you love living in the moment. But you also think a lot about the future. Not in an anxious, worrisome sort of way. But with excitement! Vim and vigor! Encouragement for what comes next. Faith that it will be the best we’ve ever had. I’m always excited for the next day. You should be, too. I’m willing to bet you’ll find a lot of yourself within those words.

We all have things to look forward to in life.

Your Paradigm

“There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” — Derek Jeter

What if you viewed each day of your life as your next great moment? Instead of just showing up to work and going through the motions, you decide for Option A — giving this day your maximum effort, with a positive attitude. I guarantee you that you will see a positive change. Extrapolating this out, you gain the recognition that you have 365 days per year to be renewed with optimism and motivation for your next great move.

I’m a die-hard New York Yankees fan. Part of what makes baseball so special to me is the fact that for six months, there is a game played nearly every day. If a player or team fails, succeeds, loses or wins, there’s always the next game. There’s always tomorrow. A new opportunity. A brand new chance to do it again, and do it better than ever before.

Honestly, the feeling shouldn’t change in victory or defeat! We should be just as eager for the next opportunity, no matter whether we won or lost the day before. It’s the way we should view our lives. Next game. Next opportunity. Next relationship. Next… you get the point.

With baseball, it’s only six months per year. For us, it’s every day. This shouldn’t lead to monotony. This shouldn’t lead to a feeling of disillusionment. While we will have many more “next’s” in life, life also has this funny way of going by very fast. We have to make the most of each moment today. This way, we lock in gains of improvement that help to fuel our future results.

The Best Part

“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.” — Bruce Lee

I hope Tom Brady’s story is one that inspires and excites you for each new day. Think of things this way: don’t get caught up thinking too much about what you’ve accomplished or what you haven’t done. That’s not the point. It’s not about celebrating too much in past victories, or beating yourself up over mistakes, failures and temporary defeats.

Life is always about focusing on the exact moment in time you’re living in. Like reading this article. Like living in the moment with your girlfriend or husband. Like pursuing your passion and giving it every ounce of your concentration and effort. This is the best part of life! We have each new day, a blank slate to work from, to create and explore.

So go out and give it the ole college try. What’s next for you? Make it your masterpiece.

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