4 Important Lessons Tom Brady Can Teach You About Business And Life

Tom Brady has broken multiple postseason records, including most Super Bowl appearances by a QB, most Super Bowl passing touchdowns and most completions, among other honors, like more postseason wins than 21 NFL franchises.

If there is one word to describe Tom Brady and all of his success, that word is ELITE!

Brady is arguably the greatest QB of the 21st century, and perhaps of all time. The success he has had is unparalleled by anyone we have seen in quite some time, and he still has gas left in the tank. That is what makes Tom Brady so special.

Brady's first Super Bowl victory happened in 2001, after his second season taking the leading role in New England. Brady, Belichick and the cast have made a total of six Super Bowl appearances, winning four of them.

Although the duo of Brady and Belichick have been the faces of the Patriots organization during that time, their supporting cast has changed nearly every year. Somehow, they have been able to still produce and get their desired results.

This past decade and a half has made clear the Patriots can adapt to change and be a model of success for other organizations to follow. It's pretty obvious their system works!

But, what can the success of these guys teach you? Well, I'm glad you asked. Here is what we all should learn from Tom Brady and the success of the Patriots' organization:

Don't be afraid of change.

Change will happen. What we decide to do with that change is up to us. We can approach it with resilience, or we can approach it with inflexibility. The choice is ours to make.

If we want to be a part of the group of laggards who think change is not for us, then we will constantly decide to be left behind. Being in last place is not a good feeling (for me, anyway).

If we don't strive to be the best at what we do, we are doing a disservice to ourselves. Being the best requires persistence and adaptability. Make the necessary changes to continue to lead the pack.

Be willing to change your approach, but don't change your goal.

Always keep the end goal in mind. No matter what, there will be ups and downs, and there will be times when giving up appears to be the best option.

You might want to tank and prepare for the next season or the next job or opportunity, but the key is to remember why you show up every day in the first place.

Whether it is to win the championship, climb the corporate ladder or be a steward of hope for others, you have something to work for. As cliché as it is to say, you cannot give up on your dreams.

We all have something to work for, and it means so much more when you earn it, despite the odds that may come up against you.

Know your team's strengths and weaknesses.

At some point, every professional organization has performed some form of organizational analysis to understand where the company stands and the best ways to move forward.

This overview is the opportunity to develop strategic goals and implement a plan for the future.

By analyzing different aspects of your personal or professional life, you may find many things you need to work on, but you will also find your strengths and give yourself the foundation to build the right team around you.

The success of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots is a direct reflection of this type of analysis.

A thorough look at each aspect of the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) at the beginning, middle and end of each season will provide a picture of where you are, what can potentially harm you, how your competitors might be doing and the areas you need to work on to reach your desired outcome.

Trust the process. You won't always be number one.

The true competitors, though, are the ones who always play to win. — Tom Brady

Each season brings new trials and tribulations, yet the Patriots endure and make it over the hump. You can do the same. You might not always have the biggest and best weapons, but if you can manage to effectively utilize what you have, you can ensure success will soon follow.

Here's the question you might ask: What does this mean to you?

Sometimes, changes occur in our lives and we are pretty resistant to them. It's often not that we are ill-prepared, but we have gotten too comfortable in our previous positions.

This transition stage becomes easier when we stop resisting what's happening in our lives and accept the need to step into a new season. Change is often not the easiest thing to do, but if we want to grow, change is a must.

Don't be afraid of this new season upon you. It must occur in order for you to see the results you are seeking. Don't settle for complacency by saying things like, "I'm happy where I am now." Your words are powerful.

The people who make these comments are often the ones I see complaining the most about their unhappiness. They want more, but they are unwilling to do more. If you aren't changing, you probably aren't growing. You cannot expect tomorrow's results if you are only willing to put in yesterday's effort.

The most common battle in life is between who you are and who you would like to be. The only thing that separates the two is your willingness to do whatever possible to connect the dots.

This is your opportunity to be the change you seek. You have the opportunity to be a champion, and you should not take that for granted. Tom Brady has made his choice. Will you make yours?

Too often in life, something happens and we blame other people for us not being happy or satisfied or fulfilled. So the point is, we all have choices, and we make the choice to accept people or situations or to not accept situations. — Tom Brady