Play Like The Patriots?

Readers of my blog know that my “theme” this year is Play Like the Patriots. For those of you who missed it, my beloved team was defeated by the New York Giants in a major upset Sunday night in the Superbowl. After winning all 18 games this year, the Patriots lost the big one. I expected all of my New York friends rub this in my face a bit. They didn’t let me down. Heck, I’d probably have done the same thing had we won.

One blog reader, Toli, commented:

“Stephen, you know I love your stuff, but you must reconsider something: live this year like the Patriots? Which means, basically doing your best and then failing to achieve at the most important moment? This is why I side with the Giants: achieving your goals is always messy, but you get there in the end.”

Thanks Toli, that made me smile!

Although (I assume) you are just poking fun at me, let me provide 3 reasons why I stand by my theme.

1. I said “play like the Patriots” not “win like the Patriots.”

In life – and in business – there aren’t “Superbowls” that determine winners (and losers). Success is not decided by one outcome or game. It is much more complex than that. Unlike sports, the season never ends. It is a continual journey of improvement.

For my book, Goal-Free Living, I interviewed Dr. Doug Gardner, a former sports psychology consultant to the Boston Red Sox (the winners of the World Series this year). Doug once told me, “People get caught up in wins and losses. Something I have learned from sports is very simple. You are going to win and you are going to lose. But you are not always going to win and you are not always going to lose. In life people tend to obsess about winning. Unfortunately, when you focus on winning and losing, you are putting yourself in an either/or situation. I’d rather give myself a chance to learn each day, rather than win. Success is not always measured in wins and losses but rather improvement.”

When I created my theme, it was based on an appreciation of their work ethic, not their win streak.

2. I said “play like the Patriots” not “lose like the Patriots.”

No one wins every game. So when you do lose, you must learn from the experience and act like a winner (or at least act graciously).

When Bill Belichick (the coach of the Patriots) walked off the field before the game was officially over, he behaved like a sore loser. Or at least that is the consensus of the media.

I know it’s difficult to stick around when things are not going your way. It’s easier to bury your head in the sand and hope your problems will go away.

Again, I turn to Dr. Gardner for words of wisdom. He said:

“When I work with school sports teams, I encourage the players to focus on each play, not on whether they are winning or losing. With one high school baseball team I coach, after each game we go out to right field and talk about the game. Throughout the game I have trained them to never look at the scoreboard. Don’t worry about the numbers. Just play your best. After every game we walk out to right field where the scoreboard is located, and I have them turn around and face it. I ask them, ‘We won, today. Why?’ or ‘We lost today. Why?’ The conversation is not just about the fact that we won or lost. But why? ‘Why’ is the critical question.”

Doug continued, “If I lose, I want to look at why, without beating myself up. Sometimes you just lose. Sometimes you just win.”

Besides, it’s all just a game.

3. I said “Play like the Patriots” not “be a fan of the Patriots”

What I find most amazing about sports is the level of passion people have for their teams. There’s a reason why they are called fans. It is short for “fanatic” which is defined as “excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.”

Although I enjoy watching the Patriots, they aren’t my life. The Patriots aren’t MY team. I have no vested interest in the outcome of their performance. And they have no vested interest in my life.

Why are we fanatical about something that is so unimportant in the scheme of things?

Imagine what life would be like if we give the same level of passion, excitement, and enthusiasm to our lives as we do our sports teams. What if we became a fan of our spouse? Our employer? Our country?

For 2008, I still plan to “Play like the Patriots.” I will give it my best each and every day. Although I know every day won’t be a winner, I know that in the end, this will be my best year yet. And if not, hey, there’s always next year.

Comments