American Football player Tom Brady is 45 and is still playing great football. It is unheard of for a quarterback to play well at this age but Brady is doing the impossible.
Tom Brady And the Four Agreements
One book that Tom Brady credits his success to and that he revisits often is The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz. Brady says the book is “a mantra for his life.”
What is this book that Brady lives by and what are The Four Agreements?
Written by spiritual teacher Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements is an ancient Toltec wisdom that thrived in central Mexico a thousand years ago. The teachings tell you to let go of self-limiting beliefs that hold you back and cause you suffering.
The Four Agreements
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions; and
- Always do your best
A Reminder For Tom Brady
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback first came across this book in 2006 and turns to the agreements when in need of advice. One of those moments was after Brady and the New England Patriots were accused of cheating in 2014. The football superstar reads this book once a year to remind himself.
This book has moved over 8.5 million copies in the United States. That is an amazing accomplishment and you can be sure that Brady introduced it to many people. He has mentioned it in many interviews and is even featured on the book’s YouTube channel.
Recently, the book was mentioned in Season six of Rick and Morty. The novel has entered the mainstream and a lot of people are connecting with the short book. Some people live by the four agreements and it plays a big part. Just ask Brady.
“You read it and you just go, Goddamn,’ Brady said in an interview with Esquire in 2008. “You know, how can I be more honest, accept things that don’t go as planned? When you try to combat everything, at the end of the day you realize that you’re responsible for yourself.”
Conclusion
Brady has had a lot of success in his professional football career and this book plays an important part. While the message of the novel is simple and forward, people often forget the simple things and make things complicated. The Four Agreements is a good reminder that you only have power over yourself. It has worked out pretty well for Brady and maybe it will for you too.
The Four Agreements is a monumental book with relatively few words. Brilliant messages in simple terms.