[Originally published February 18, 2021]
With his win over the Chiefs on Sunday, Tom Brady won his seventh Super Bowl, giving him more rings at the age of 43 than any individual NFL franchise. In other words, he’s pretty good.
In fact, Brady’s longevity has gone from impressive to absurd in the last few years. His ability to continue performing at a top level for all these years is one of the most incredible feats in all of sports. There are plenty of explanations given for how he’s kept his physical skills for all these years, ranging from reasonable to dubious. Avocado ice cream, specialized stretching routines, drinking water instead of wearing sunscreen. All of these, and more, have been proposed by Brady and sports experts alike as the key to his continued success.
Often neglected, but just as important, is Brady’s ability to keep his mental state strong through 20 years of playing. Playing in countless high-stakes situations while also navigating life as one of the most famous athletes in the world is undoubtedly a difficult task, yet Brady’s public persona has always been low key and mostly scandal-free.
As it turns out, Brady has a book he’s recommended over the years that he claims has guided him throughout his career. Titled “The Four Agreements” by author Don Miguel Ruiz, Brady once described it as “a mantra for my life”. The book describes itself as “a practical guide to personal freedom” based on wisdom from the Toltec, a Mexican culture from over 3000 years ago. Personally, that sounds a little too new-agey for my liking, but Brady isn’t alone in his love for the book. Both Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, two equally famous and successful figures have been open about their support for the book’s principles.
So what are the “Four Agreements”? Turns out they’re pretty simple:
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
Easier said than done for sure, but also fairly straightforward, practical advice. Of course, Tom Brady and Oprah Winfrey both have different experiences and goals than you or me, but these principles are pretty universal in their nature. And if they work for some of the biggest names in America, they just might work for us.
Further Reading: https://www.wsj.com/articles/meet-tom-bradys-shaman-1485907096