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‘Is money the only thing we value?’: NFL legend and father of 3 Tom Brady says letting kids fail, taking responsibility is no longer valued in America — 3 ways to apply his wisdom in 2025

A huge influx of money has poured into professional sports in recent years.

The rule change would enable private equity firms to invest in sports teams for the first time. As a result, college athletes can leverage their celebrity status to generate wealth.

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NFL legend Tom Brady expressed his concern that modern-day football players, alongside their families, have become overly fixated on wealth.

I was actually contributing less financially, hoping it would give us a better chance to win.

Brady suggests that the increased financial incentives in sports may be encouraging some athletes to abandon traditional sportsmanship and opt for the easiest path to success. “In today’s world, we’re not helping kids overcome challenges when they face difficulties. Instead, we often send them to environments where they can achieve success with minimal struggle,” he stated.

A father of three advocates adopting a philosophy that encourages embracing setbacks and taking bold steps, which he believes are essential for creating a stable and prosperous career.

Treat challenges as a chance to grow and learn

Noted psychologist Angela Duckworth described a key characteristic of successful individuals as their capacity to manage and learn from failures.

Even the most exceptional athletes, entrepreneurs, and investors may encounter setbacks and failures. What ultimately matters is their determination to bounce back and stay motivated towards achieving success.

This lesson is highly relevant for those who invest, given the tendency for market fluctuations.

Over the past 35 years, the market has exhibited significant fluctuations, with a correction of 10% or more occurring in 20 out of 35 years. Notably, the average decrease in value during this period was approximately 14%.

Missing even a single down period in this drawdown would have resulted in smaller long-term market gains.

Just as Brady has proven, it’s beneficial to stay involved and engaged for as long as you can.

The cost of one dozen eggs in the United States has surged to $4.15 and the price of a pound of sirloin steak has hit a record high of $14.35.

Avoid being swayed by quick fixes or short-term gains that may not bring long-term value or satisfaction.

According to Brady, the most counterproductive lesson you can teach is to give up when faced with initial difficulties. He thinks that focusing solely on effortless victories can hinder long-term growth, as it fails to challenge you to venture beyond your comfort zone and acquire new knowledge.

Investors might be able to accumulate cash more easily when they are in a mindset to prepare for a possible market downturn.

Staying within your comfort zone too long can be counterproductive and cause you to miss opportunities for long-term growth, leading to a decrease in your purchasing power over time due to inflation.

There’s a 100% likelihood of a recession occurring next year.

A 26 point 29% increase over the course of 2023.

Investors who were frightened by the forecast and chose to stick with cash missed out on this high double-digit gain.

Look beyond the money

You might think that building a career and investing are all about accumulating wealth.

But it’s helpful to take a step back and think about what truly matters most to you. Brady said his passion for football was so strong that he choose to earn less to help his team win.

A representative from the Ford Motor Company stated that they would consider accepting a maximum reduction of 20% in their compensation if it resulted in an overall increase in their job satisfaction.

The 2024 United States Retirement Survey conducted by Schroders.

The message is clear: if concerns about a new job, extra money, taking on debt, or investing in a risky asset are keeping you up at night, the value of the money may not outweigh the stress.

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This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It is offered without any express or implied guarantee.

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