BLOG: Lessons from Jerry Rice

ByJohn D. Kelly IV, MD

Jerry Rice is arguably the best player ever to don an NFL uniform. He caught 197 touchdown passes in his storied career and he owns every major receiving record. His success was predicated on principles from which all orthopedic surgeons can benefit.

Last month, we discussed the perils of perfectionistic concerns — a mindset prepossessed with the faulty notion that only “perfect” accomplishments will bring us satisfaction. Perfectionistic concerns are responsible for a good measure of the burnout burden seen in medicine today.

This is in stark contrast to a quest for excellence arising from a deep passion to be the best one can be. Seeking excellence in one’s vocation is indeed a noble pursuit and can lead to a focus-filled and purposeful life, replete with energy. Rice was the perfect embodiment of this life philosophy, and we all will do well to adopt his recipe for success.

Lesson 1 – Preparation

Success is no accident. We can create it when we prepare and do the mundane things that we may regard as annoying or inconvenient. Rice knew the recipe for greatness: to do the drills, sprints and weightlifting that would essentially ensure success. He was known to be the first on the practice field and last to leave; he ran his patterns deliberately as if each one was his last. Furthermore, Rice knew that a continual quest for improvement, rather than mere repetition, was the key to mastery. This deliberate practice is what separates world-class performers from the pack. Indeed, his life was a case vignette to typify Malcolm Gladwell’s thesis in his celebrated book, Outliers, which stated that 10,000 hours of preparation was necessary to achieve mastery in any endeavor.

“Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't,” – Jerry Rice

Application: Do we prepare for cases the way Rice would for a game? Do we deliberately plan for each surgery and try to improve upon our last “performance?”

Do we make the hard calls during the day, things others would normally shun, such as reviewing our last case in an effort to do things tomorrow others can’t? Do we make the difficult phone call, finish the paper or edit the slides today so we can relax with my family tomorrow?

Do we exercise today so we can be healthy for our loved ones tomorrow?

Do we schedule time with my spouse/partner today, so I can have a lasting relationship tomorrow?

Lesson 2 – Know thyself and focus on your strengths

Rice knew he wasn’t the fastest player on the field (he clocked a pedestrian 40-yard dash time of 4.7 seconds), nor was he the most talented, but he played on his strengths — intelligence, pattern execution, strength, conditioning and timing. When he faced defender and ‘speed demon’ Deion Sanders he enjoyed a great measure of success, although his opponent was admittedly fast and more talented. He knew he couldn’t out run Sanders … thus, he avoided long routes and ran intermediate precision routes. He favored high passes because he could outjump Sanders and relished ‘tight’ passes because he could outmuscle him for the ball.

Needless to say, as the game transitioned to the fourth quarter, Jerry Rice undoubtedly knew his opponent would be less conditioned, affording many late game opportunities in his storied career.

“ … when you get an exceptional player like a Deion Sanders or a Darrell Green, these guys are fast and they have very good technique. You have to work a little harder.” – Jerry Rice

Application: Do we build our practices on our strengths or do we try to outrun everyone else?

Do we focus on our more pronounced talents or do we believe we can tackle even the most complex of cases? Perhaps we have a skillset more suited for open surgery than arthroscopic procedures. Rather than “outrunning Deion” we will help more patients, and consequently become more satisfied, if we built our practices on our gifts.

Lesson 3 – Expect success … and you will get it.

When the game was on the line, Rice wanted the ball. He expected good things to happen and his intentions became a self-fulfilled prophecy. After a faltering 49ers start to Super Bowl XXIII, sensing his team needed him desperately, Rice responded with 11 receptions for 215 yards and a touchdown.

Many spiritual writers have expounded on the Law of Attraction, the principle that our thoughts and beliefs create reality and that what we believe in will help manifest reality. This principle applies to health care as well since it has been demonstrated that a patient’s belief in outcome may be the single largest determinant of surgical success.

“Every time these hands touch a ball, this body ends up in an end zone.” – Jerry Rice

Application:

Do we expect good outcomes whenever we engage in surgery or do we adopt the attitude of “Let’s see what happens?”

Do we believe we can help every patient we see in clinic, even when we refer them to another surgeon? Do we believe we can create a happy and healthy family culture at home?

Lesson 4 – Enjoy the Journey

Jerry Rice endured a fabled 20-year NFL career largely because he simply had fun. His profession was an enjoyable and clearly memorable experience fueled by passion and a simple love of the game. Worry about statistics, records or even Hall of Fame status would detract from his ability to be fully present and focused on the singular task of catching the football.

Happy athletes perform better. When athletes are totally immersed in the present moment and are engaged in the mere joy of competing, good things will follow.

“I went out there to play my game for the fun of it and never based my career around records.” – Jerry Rice

Application:

Do we approach our cases with trepidation or fear about what will go wrong or do we focus on the profound privilege of making a material difference in the lives of others?

Do we recognize that when we can relinquish fear and become totally present in surgery, joy will usher in and good results are a natural byproduct?

Make the hard calls today to ensure success for tomorrow. Build on your strengths, expect the best and enjoy the journey. You will be building the foundation of a Hall of Fame orthopedic vocation.

References:

Byrne R. The Secret. 2008; Simon and Schuster.

Canfield J and Watkins DD. Jack Canfield's Key to Living the Law of Attraction: A Simple Guide to Creating the Life of Your Dreams. 2007; Health Communications Inc.

Colvin G. Talent is Overrated: What Really Separated World-Class Performers from Everybody Else. 2008; Penguin.

Gladwell M. Outliers. 2008. Little, Brown and Company.

Pensgaard AM and Duda JL. The Sport Psychologist. 2003; 17.3:253-267.

Vranceanu AM, et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;doi:10.2106/JBJS.H.01512.

Disclosure: Kelly reports no relevant financial disclosures.