Look Under the Radar, Make Smart Choices

The key point in this essay is that in making tough choices in life, sometimes it’s best to look under the radar, because the best things, in most cases, are not found in the hype.

If you live in the US or follow US sports news, you will know that period leading to the NFL (National Football League) draft is one of the most exciting times for sports fans in the US. As sports analyst and experts present personal attributes (height, weight, reach, etc) of players and playing statistics, the general public is invited into a passionate debate  around who should make the first round pick and who should wait until the third or 6^th.

Pick Like a GM

Make decisions like a GM a football team at draft night. A Good General Manager of a football team does not make a pick based on the recommendation by pundit on TV, hearsay, print media or rudimentary evidence of a player’s ability. He does his homework because he knows that at the end of the day, it’s not only the height and weight, 40-yard dash and yards-per-carry that matter.  He knows there are intangibles that determine the success of a team.

To make the smart choices in life, you have to learn from some of these great football managers. One thing a great football manager knows is that the best talents are not always at the top of the radar. This means that sometimes the key to finding top talent and hence building a foundation for successful lineup is to look under the radar.

The Case for Tom Brady

Sometimes playing for a small school or lack of other good talent around a really good player may take a player out of the limelight. A good example is Tom Brady. Brady was overlooked because he split time during his senior season at Michigan with a younger, more highly touted quarterback. During the 2000 NLF draft, Tom Brady was drafted in the 6^th round by the New England Patriots. Yes, 6^th Round, that’s not sexy, at all.

Today he has three Super Bowls rings and there’s only one more thing that’s certain; he’s heading to the Hall of Fame. Think about it. It’s just unbelievable how they could have overlooked the talent of Mr. Brady and seen him wait till the 6^th round. With his 3 Super Bowl rings and countless records in various statistics categories, Tom Brady has proved to everybody that the best are not always at the top of the radar.

Success is not a product of the hype. If you take your time and do your homework, you may find the jewel beneath the radar where no one is looking.

Thanks for reading.