“You’re a dime a dozen. You’re a clipboard holder, man. You have to start a career. I’ll write you a nice referral.”
That’s what Tom Brady’s supervisor Oliver Owens told him when interned at Merrill Lynch in college when Brady told him instead of working in finance after college he was going to enter the NFL draft.
Brady was the 199th pick in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL draft.
Unremarkable in every measurable, what he lacked in size, strength and speed he made up for with an unwavering belief in himself. Some might even say it bordered on delusional.
Patriots starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured in 2001 and Brady got an opportunity to play. At a team dinner before the playoffs Brady told his teammates:
“Drew isn’t getting his f*cking job back.”
Many of his teammates dismissed the comment as excessive enthusiasm.
18 years, 11 conference championships and 6 Super Bowl championships later, not only has nobody taken Tom Brady’s job from him but he will also go down as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
What’s the secret to his success?
Regardless of all that he’s accomplished, Brady is always the underdog in his mind.
And you should be the same way.
If you’re going to attempt anything great in life, expect people to try to talk you out of it or tell you why it won’t work.
Do it anyway. Use the criticism as fuel for your fire.
You never know what happens when you try, but we all know what will happen if you don’t.
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https://coachbru.thinkific.com/courses/Underdog
P.S. If you have a scarcity mindset, don’t believe in collaboration, are lazy or simply looking for a quick fix — My membership community is NOT the place for you.