How to Focus on What You Can Control
Tom Brady reshaped the narrative of possibility in the world of football. . Brady’s story didn’t begin with championships and accolades.
In his early years at Michigan, he faced challenges, riding the bench and battling self-doubt. Yet, a pivotal moment with his coach and a sports psychologist ignited a profound shift in his mindset.
The lesson was simple: focus on what you can control.
Overview
Focusing on what you can control breaks down into two key lessons from Brady’s remarkable career:
- Lesson 1: Strive for excellence;
- Lesson 2: Focus on lead measures.
Let’s dive in!
1.) Lesson 1: Strive for excellence
Mark Cuban once said, “People come to me all the time and tell me they’re stuck.”
They feel trapped in jobs they don’t like, working for bosses they don’t respect, or stuck on teams that don’t inspire them.
His advice?
Be great.
In life, you can’t always just walk away from your job or demand promotions. Similarly, in sports, you can’t always demand more playing time.
So when you’re feeling stuck, find it within yourself to be exceptional right where you are. Because greatness attracts opportunities.
Personal agency and commitment are the keys here. Regardless of the circumstances, we must find motivation within ourselves to excel.
Embracing greatness, even in tough situations, has transformative power.
Whether you’re cleaning windows, collecting carts, or running a team, the goal remains the same: strive for excellence in how you show up every day.
It’s the one thing we can control, day in and day out.
So let’s lift heavier weights, push ourselves further, and commit to being our best selves.
Because that’s how we’ll reach where we want to be in the future.
2.) Lesson 2: Focus on lead measures
In the pursuit of our goals, it’s crucial to understand the power of lead measures versus lag measures.
Lag measures reflect past performance, such as the distance traveled on a road trip or weight loss.
While these are important, focusing solely on them can be disheartening because they reflect events we can no longer change.
On the other hand, lead measures reflect current behavior and are predictive of our goals.
For instance, tracking calorie intake and exercise can directly influence weight loss because they’re within our control and show how our actions impact our goals.
Tom Brady exemplified this mindset throughout his career. From his early days at Michigan to his legendary status in the NFL, he focused on what he could control, just as his coach advised.
Instead of worrying about competitors or external factors, he channeled his energy into his own performance.
Brady only looked through the windshield, not the rearview mirror.
It’s about focusing on what’s in front of us and within our control — our daily actions, improvements, and commitment to being the best version of ourselves.
So, as we strive for greatness, let’s remember to prioritize lead measures, applying disproportionate energy to the things we can influence.
When we focus on our growth and performance, greatness becomes not just a distant goal but a tangible reality waiting around the corner.
Conclusion
There you have it — how to focus on what you can control. I hope the examples and definitions in this guide help you shift your focus toward empowering yourself with the ability to influence what truly matters.
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