Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of American football (NFL), you have to admire the success of Tom Brady. A winner of seven Super Bowl championships and 10 Super Bowl appearances, he will arguably go down as the greatest quarterback of all time.
In an interview with Jim Gray, Brady provides insight into one of the goals he aspires to have both on the field and off the field, something that he notices and admires in many of his heroes, and something that I have written a lot about on my blog: the value of having a balanced life.
“So many great people that I know, that have been a part of my life, have been – the reasons why they’re successful in sports is because they’re really successful people in life. …They have great discipline in sports, they have great discipline in life. Their marriage is important to them, their kids are important to them, their career is important to them, their relationship to their teammates is important to them, and those are so many people that I’ve been around and they continue to inspire me.”
Domains of a Balanced Life
In analyzing his quote, Brady identifies several domains that contribute to a balanced life. Areas that his heroes regularly address in their lives.
First, he repeatedly identifies the importance of close relationships with the people he cares about, such as his wife, children, and teammates. This is the R in the PROMISE Wheel that I’ve written about.
Another domain that Brady devotes a lot of attention to is the Physical domain of his life. In the off-season, for example, Brady will work out four to five times per week, focusing on muscle groups that will make him nimble and quick on the field. He’s also disciplined with his diet, eating nutritious meals that complement his fitness regimen.
After his workouts, Brady spends 15-minutes daily doing online brain exercises to help keep his visual precision sharp. This activity addresses the Mind domain.
Balance Fosters Success
This is what I find with a lot of people who are successful in their particular industry or field. It’s not just about working hard on your craft. Rather, people who live fulfilling and impactful lives are often the ones who work on living a balanced life. They pay attention to their physical health, relationships, their mind, and their spirit.
By living a balanced life you are setting yourself up for success, and setting yourself up to have a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and inspirational to others.