I was at a Goldman Sachs Crafting Tomorrow event last week in Austin, TX. First of all, wow. Goldman really knows how to through a first class event full of industry leaders.

One of the highlights for me was the conversation with  Drew Brees at dinner. In full disclosure, I am not a Saints fan, but I have always admired Drew Brees. 

Not just because of his faith, but also because people told him he couldn’t do it. For those that remember, he slipped out of the first round to become the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft because he was “too small” to be an NFL quarterback. That story always resonated with me because I was just graduating high school at that time and I was very small kid. I didn’t really grow until the summer leading into my freshman year of college. 

I loved that there was someone out there not letting others perception of them become a reality. Someone who worked tirelessly to prove to the naysayers that they could not only compete, but thrive in the NFL.

During the dinner conversation Drew said that his mentor told him to abide by the 3M’s.  

“Master, Mentor, Make a Difference.”

Everyone in the room was sure to remember this hook, and for good reason . . . this is a great playbook for life.

Master: Find what you are passionate about and master it. Dedicate yourself to your craft, learn from your mistakes, and improve every day.

Drew said that he would review every single play in the playbook each week and think to himself, “what is the worst thing that can happen on this play”. That enabled him to have a plan and allowed him to stay poised in the event that the play didn’t go as planned.

Mentor: Once you have mastered your craft, mentor someone that is coming behind you. Help them on their journey and provide them with the knowledge that it takes to become a master themselves.

Make a difference: That is what life is about. Helping others. 100-years from now no one will remember that Drew Brees was the MVP of Super Bowl 44. However, the Brees Dream Foundation, which supports cancer patients and research, will endure. As of 2021 the Brees Dream Foundation has donated over $35M to charitable causes worldwide.

The 3M’s set up a continued cycle of prosperity for everyone it touches. If everyone lived life this way think about all the good that would be done. All the people that would be helped. What an inspiration. 

So this week remember to not listen to the naysayers. Go after your dreams and on your journey do not forget the 3Ms: Master, Mentor, Make a difference.

Welcome to the Limitless Podcast with Nathan Jovanelly.  Thanks for tuning in.