Tom vs. Time

The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl and the NFL has to be pleased, considering their slumping TV ratings this year. The Pats, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are in the midst of an incredible run of division and conference championships with five Super Bowl wins. This was thought to be impossible in the era of free agency and player movement each season. But, it has occurred. And of course, whenever a team wins consistently they become polarizing, which creates interest. You either love’em or hat’em. I don’t watch much football, but I will watch Brady whenever I have the chance. Greatness is fun to watch. You don’t need to know much about football to appreciate Brady’s abilities, professionalism and clutch performances. It may be difficult to explain or define “great” at times, but you know it when you see it.

The AFC Championship game featuring the Patriots and Jacksonville was the highest rated game since last year’s Super Bowl, which was a victory for the Patriots. Overall, TV ratings for the NFL fell again substantially in 2017-18 following a large decline the previous season. Over the last two years the drop is approaching 20%. The playoffs this year have followed the same trend. The overall TV ratings fell 8.4% for the conference championship games, 16% for the divisional playoffs games and 13% for the wild card games. It is estimated the regular season ratings drop alone resulted in $500 million in lost revenue for the NFL’s TV partners. Ad time is sold based on the expected audience. When the ratings fall short of expectations, TV must make up the difference. It is true NFL games remain ratings winners when compared to other TV content. But, it is the loss of overall value that has the league and owners concerned. If the ratings continue to drop, the TV partners lose revenue. This trend will likely affect future TV contracts resulting in less revenue for the league and teams and in the end-the players. Another example of Trickle Down. Many believe the National Anthem protests are causing the drop in ratings. Consider the timeframe between the drop in ratings and when the protests began. Despite the NFL’s claims to the contrary the timing is not coincidental. The NFL has blamed the drop on the Presidential campaign, bad weather, cord cutting and other issues. However, ratings for College Football have been strong and the NBA is growing in popularity. It is fair to say competition for people’s time has grown. And once you give someone a reason not to watch-it is very difficult to get them back. When they find other things to occupy their time, they may never return. If they do return it will likely be with less intensity than before.

Tom Brady has released a new series of “reality TV” segments on Facebook titled, Tom vs Time. The 40 year old will likely be named MVP on Saturday and he may win a 6th Super Bowl Sunday. The Facebook show gives the viewer an inside look on Tom’s principles, methods for success, training regimen and family life. Brady and the Patriots, like any great organization, prepare and execute better than anyone else on a consistent basis. When I have watched successful people in various walks of life, up close or from afar, I have taken note of what they have in common.
-Work harder than anyone else
-Have a regimented existence based on the ability to compartmentalize
-Show up early and stay late everyday never wavering from their routine
-Willing to sacrifice whatever it takes
-Have the ability to recognize changing conditions and adjust successfully over a long period of time
-Successes are forgotten quickly. Failures are never forgotten.

Of course there are many other attributes of successful people, but these are some of the basics. It doesn’t mean you win every game. It doesn’t mean successful people never fail. It also doesn’t mean you will find happiness or a balanced life. It just means successful people give themselves the best possible odds to succeed in their field.

Every battle is won or lost before it is fought-Sun Tzu.