Carpe Momentum

You’ve probably heard of the Latin term, “Carpe Diem” translated as “Seize the Day.” Made popular by the Robin Williams film The Dead Poet’s Society, the term has been about making the most of the day, don’t hesitate, don’t wait.

In prepping for a team talk I had with a college cross country team I came across an even more meaningful latin phrase - and my new favorite mantra for high performers and leaders. 

“Carpe Momentum”

“Seize the moment.”

What high performer and leader doesn’t want to seize the moment? To be ready when opportunity strikes.

In late September 2001, the New England Patriots were struggling. After starting the season 0-1 they were trailing against the New York Jets with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Their franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe scrambled toward the sideline and was hit by Jets linebacker, Mo Lewis. Some on the sidelines said it was the loudest hit they ever remembered hearing. Bledsoe was unable to recover.

New England head coach Bill Belichick walked up to Patriots backup Tom Brady and directly said, “Drew is out and you’re in.”

Thus began the opportunity for future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady to “seize the moment.”

Although the game against the Jets was far from a Disney movie ending (they lost 10-3), the story goes on to Tom Brady rattling off a great season, leading the Patriots to winning the Super Bowl (and five others). 

He never lost his starting position. The opportunity came calling, and he seized it.

Carpe Momentum

When we think of seizing the moment, I’ve noticed an unfortunate trend not just in my own life, but in the many performers I get to work with. Our imaginations only think of the “big moments.”

The stories like Tom Brady replacing Drew Bledsoe, or Lou Gehrig replacing Wally Pip. 

Or visions of cutting down the nets, raising the championship trophy, or hearing your name called in the draft. 

If not careful our focus only becomes about seizing those types of moments. 

Which moment is the most important to seize? 

The moment you’re in.

Was Tom Brady’s moment in 2001 the most important moment of his career? It certainly was a pivotal moment.

However I would argue there was a more important moment in his journey, four years earlier.

“I always had an excuse..”

In his redshirt sophomore season at Michigan, Brady was buried on the depth chart, frustrated, and considering transferring back home to the University of California. At one point, after having appendicitis and losing 20 pounds, Brady fell on the depth chart to the 5th quarterback option.

By the fall of 1997 he was only getting three reps per practice. He was frustrated, struggling, and beginning to doubt if this was the place for him to flourish.

He began meeting every week with Greg Harden, an athletic department counselor/mental performance coach. 

Week after week they would talk about his frustrations, and process. Brady shared “I had a lot of self-defeating attitudes and behaviors. I always had an excuse.”

One pivotal moment in one of their Tuesday morning meetings, Harden was direct with Brady.

“Tom, I like you. You work hard, but you have a shitty attitude.”

Harden began encouraging Brady to focus on what he could control. Make the most of every opportunity in front of you. 

Recalling Harden’s advice, Brady said, “Every time you go in there, you bring energy. You bring enthusiasm. If they give you three reps, you do the best with the three you get.”

Carpe Momentum - Seize the moment.

“Sure enough, my energy started getting better. I was bringing the juice. I had the right attitude and I started to improve.” Brady said.

Days began to stack, he won the starting job at Michigan, was taken in the NFL draft, and was prepared when his opportunity came after the Bledsoe injury.

When we see Tom Brady “seize the moment” in 2001 after the Bledsoe injury, we’re not seeing him seize the first moment. We’re seeing the byproduct of a pattern of behavior. We’re only seeing his public moment, not the million other moments in which he seized his thinking, his reacting, his intentions, his attention.

High performers don’t just seize the big moment, they’ve made a lifestyle out of “carpe momentum.”

It seems so fitting that the latin word for "moment" reads as the same english word, “momentum.” In our modern, western way of thinking, we’re obsessed with momentum.

We want it and we want it now. But true momentum can’t be manufactured hastily. It absolutely can be built, but only one moment at a time.

For Tom Brady, his invitation to build momentum was not to wait for the big opportunity and go “seize it.”

His invitation came on a random Tuesday session in which he was forced to look at his situation differently, focus on what he could control, and go make the most of what was in front of him.

Carpe Momentum at it’s finest. 

Are you waiting for the big moment to seize while overlooking the one you are in?

Seize all moments. Starting with the one you are in. 

Stay The Course,