12 Success Secrets From The Seahawks

The NFL draft started yesterday. They trades their first round draft pick to have more picks in the 2nd and 3rd round.

Why did they do this? Because it’s part of their strategy. Just like the Seahawks, you need a strategy for your business to be successful.

This week, since I’ve got football on the brain, I thought it would be good to revisit one of my most popular posts of all time.

They still ring true today:

Sports are a fantastic way to learn about success.

When someone is at the top of their game in business we assume that they have always been there, or that it was easy. There seems to be an unwritten rule that once you get to the top you are supposed to make it look like you were gifted, did it all yourself and now run your business in an hour a day while spending the rest of your time traveling.

Every now and then someone will give you a “behind the scenes” look at their before, but it always seems to be heavily filtered.

As a result, we get down on ourselves for not being there already or doubt our ability.

In sports, however, part of what makes the athletes great is their story, and their willingness to share it. How did they get there? What were their obstacles? How hard did they really work?

If you look into athletes stories you will find: success takes hard work and dedication, AND it is available to anyone.

Here are 12 things to learn about success from the Seahawks this season:

1. Be all in: At the beginning of the season, Russell Wilson took 21 players to Hermosa Beach, California to train and bond as a team. Each morning on their way to working out at the beach there was a sign that said “All In”. They would hit it as they went down to workout. Often we wait to fully commit until we know that something is going to work. It doesn’t work until you commit. Be All In.
2. Separation in the preparation: When the Seahawks lost in the 2012 playoffs, Russell Wilson woke up the day after the game and decided he was going to the Super Bowl anyway. He went as if he was a player. He woke up when the teams did, did the workouts and media as if he was on the team playing in the Super Bowl. He wanted to know exactly what it would be like and what to expect for when the time came and his team went. When you preview homes imagine yourself walking through with a buyer who falls in love with it. Imagine writing the contract, hanging the sold sign and giving them the keys at closing. Prepare to succeed.
3. It doesn’t matter when you were picked, it matters what you do with the opportunity: Most of the players were picked late in the draft. They didn’t waste their time being upset about it or let that determine their performance. They took their opportunity and turned it into what they wanted. Wherever you are in your business right now, it’s up to you to decide what happens going forward.
4. You need a support staff: We went to the victory parade in Seattle this week and one of the things that really struck me were the number of coaches the team has. Pete Carol is the head coach, but there were probably 20 other coaches there for the various positions. To be successful you need help and people with specific areas of expertise.
5. Even if it looks like you can’t you get to decide: Derrek Coleman, a fullback, is deaf. He reads lips to understand the plays. We all have our perceived handicaps, or things that prevent us from moving forward. Commit to success and finding your way to get there.
6. Be present: Russell Wilson credits part of his success to being present on the field. With so many things going on in each play, he needs to be able to focus in and find the best option to move the team down the field. Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment for a deep breath. Focus in on the task at hand and the solution will be easier to see.
7. What’s next?: This is something that you hear them say often. It’s not about being unsatisfied with where you are right now, but knowing that you are on a path and half the fun is seeing what is next.
8. Turn over Thursday. Practice what happens when things don’t go your way: It’s great when things are coming together, but what happens when an appointment doesn’t go the way you wanted it to? If you are not prepared, one bad appointment can derail you. Practice what you do when things don’t go your way.  Head out for a walk to clear your head, meet a friend for coffee, call your top 5 clients to check in.
9. You can always bring it back around: After the playoff game against San Francisco, Richard Sherman got a little crazy with his comments. It started a backlash from the media and public. Yet, he took it in stride, and showed up to each and every press conference being completely composed, articulate and intelligent. We all do things that in hindsight may not have been the best, but don’t dwell on that. Decide to show up bigger and better the next time.
10. Have fun: These guys work hard, but they have a lot of fun too. They genuinely love what they do. Yes, success takes dedication and hard work, but it doesn’t mean you can have fun along the way.
11. Get your own 12’s:  Seattle fans are known as the 12^th man and some would say an integral part to the teams success. Whether it’s believing in the players or being there to create record setting noise levels at the game to distract the other team, the 12’s, are there for these guys. We all need fans and supporters.
12. Don’t be afraid of greatness: Russell Wilson said this during an interview. We assume that we are all ready for greatness, yet I see people shy away from it because they are not ready, don’t have what it takes, are afraid of the pressure, the list goes on. Do not be afraid of greatness. You were meant to be great ~ right now.

To your success!
Nicole