MaineBusiness.com

Perfection

Perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process. But once in a while…

…just once in a while there is some event that helps us mark our progress!

There is something very special happening this weekend. I’m not shy about my religious affiliation, I’m a shameless Evangelical NFLian! More specifically, I’m a Patriots fan. Not a “neveau fan” like, I’m sad to say, many of you who may have only become interested in the Pats since 2001. No, little bits and chunks of my hindquarters were forever frozen to the old Shaefer Stadium aluminum bleachers. I remember the “Big Flush.” I remember showing up at games at the last minute and buying $15 tickets for $10 from people who were glad to get rid of them for beer money!

When the Patriots claim their destiny on Super Sunday, our holiest Day of Obligation, the Original Pats Fans like me will enjoy a very special feeling reserved only for those who persevered through all the guts that led to glory.

So what the hell has this got to do with business?

I’m not just a frustrated sports writer; OK, I am! But, no…what the Patriots are doing and the way they’re doing it holds lessons that any business person and anyone striving for personal excellence can study for the rest of your life!

Motivation…
“The next one…” Tom Brady was asked which championship means the most to him so far. He answered by telling a story about his equipment manager at Michigan. This guy had earned several championship rings over many years of service. When Brady asked him which was his favorite, his answer was, “That’s simple. The next one!”

Respect…Matt Light was assaulted by reporters trying to instigate a headline during media day this Tuesday. Trying to get him to say something controversial about the Giants one reporter asked him to justify the 14 point spread. His reply, “There’s no reason for that spread, the Giants are a great team playing their best football when it counts.”

Discipline…After every game Bill Belichick, arguably the best coach in NFL history inevitably returns to his continual mantra that the Pats have several areas for improvement and that they must improve in order to succeed.

Perfection is not a destination. This weekend the Patriots will complete what is going to be called the “Perfect Season.” They will finish with an unprecedented 19-0 record, a record that will probably stand for 40 or more years and maybe forever.

Next week they will all be talking about how to improve for next season as individuals and as a team. They’ll be reviewing mistakes made and constructing methods and systems to eliminate those mistakes. They’ll be focused on the next game: the first game of next season.

Perfection is a never-ending process. You will make mistakes. There will be challenges. No road is smooth and luck does play a part in success. Perfection is about transcending these conditions and developing a disciplined ethic of doing what it takes to continually improve and strive toward your vision of personal success despite any obstacles.

When you embrace this process, and you’re continually in the act of self-improvement, you are continually living in the moment of perfection.

Enjoy the game…then go out next week and start creating your “Perfect Season!”

Jim Bouchard is the author of Dynamic Components of Personal Power and a lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. He’s also still an active player with the Midcoast Chaos of the New England Football League!

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