The New England Patriots – Top 3 Organizational Habits

Introduction to The New England Patriots - Top 3 Organizational Habits

The New England Patriots are one of the most hated teams in pro sports because they win. You know that every year, they are going to put out a team that has a chance of winning a Super Bowl. The New England Patriots are known to be one of the most systematic teams in the NFL with a very rigid culture. The Patriots do not change the culture for anyone; you must fit into their lifestyle. 

New England is always shrouded in controversy because of their coach Bill Belichick. He is known to push the rules as much as possible with things like deflate gate and spying on The New York Jets. He knows the rule book and is willing to challenge it in any way that he can. 

When its all said and done, the results speak for themselves, though. The NFL is a hard league to win in, and since 2002, the Patriots have won 6 Super Bowls and played in nine of them. They have won their division a crap tonne of times and have not had a losing season yet. You can hate them, but they must be respected. 

Quotes to Prepare for The New England Patriots - Top 3 Organizational Habits

Mental toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it’s not the best thing for you.— Bill Belichick

If you choose to do things that you are passionate about, you will not only do them better, but most importantly, you’ll be a significantly happier person. — Robert Kraft

You have to believe in your process. You have to believe in the things that you are doing to help the team win. I think you have to take the good with the bad. — Tom Brady

Do your job. — Bill Belichick

There will be a time to reflect back and count them up, but… I’m still chasing it now. It’s a new season; I’m still chasing it. – Bill Belichick

The New England Patriots - Top 3 Organizational Habits

#1 - Check Your Ego At The Door

The reason that the New England Patriots can sign players for less than they are worth is that they make you check your ego at the door. Out of all of The New England Patriots - Top 3 Organizational Habits, this is the one that sets the pace.

There are no superstars with the Patriots. Tom Brady is the best QB of all time, and he easily could have left and tested the free-agent market and been paid a tonne of money. He has taken pay cuts so that the Patriots can sign other key players, and they can keep winning. 

The New England Patriots have been able to consistently sign many controversial players and turn them some into amazing assets. They don't always work out, though, and because the Patriots don't need anyone player, they're willing to release anyone. 

• Antonio Brown 
• Josh Gordon 
• Randy Moss
• LaGarrette Blount
• Corey Dillon 
• Albert Haynesworth 
• Chad Johnson
• Derelle Revis 

These players all came in with egos, and some only lasted one year with the team. The New England Patriots have mastered picking up players that others do not want. Then by giving them structure, some of them can play the best football of their life. 

#2 - The Little Things Matter 

Many NFL players have been stars their whole life. Whether it is high school, college, or other NFL teams, they are used to doing the bare minimum to get by. Their exceptional talent has allowed them not to give them all. This does not fly with The Patriots and coach Belichick. Everything matters to him. They are on time for meetings, the walk through, film study, and everything else. 

He builds excellent habits within his teams and the organization because people don't skip the little things. Habits are about doing the things right that don't matter to most, and over time things begin to compound. He has become so good about this that he known to be one of the best adjustment coaches in the NFL. In the second half, he can bring out a whole new look. He showed this in the Super Bowl comeback against Atlanta.

#3 - Expect More 

When you talk to any player that has played for him, the thing they always say is that expectations are high. We rarely get more than we expect in life, so this is a great organizational habit. When you have high expectations, and you fall short, you are still ina great place. When you have lower expectations, and you fall short, you end up in the wrong place. 

Most teams say the expectation is to win the Super Bowl, and that is obvious. What the New England Patriots do, though, is focused on the process that will get you there. This is the difference between people who focus on goals vs. habits. The habits make the goals come alive, but the goals just set the direction. The New England Patriots expect more from the players in every meeting, practice, game, and interview.