Tom Brady Teaches Us a Lesson in Emotional Intelligence

Written By Janet Dakey

TOM BRADY, QUARTERBACK FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Following a last second field goal sending Tampa Bay home for the offseason, Tom Brady was distraught. As we like to say at the Meeting House, losing at any age and level of competition can bring about a lot of big feelings: anger, confusion, sadness, to name a few. When asked about the future of his playing career Brady took a pause letting reporters know he would not make any impulse decisions or comments in a heightened emotional state. He taught us a major lesson in Emotional Intelligence: Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion.

Here are a few situations when you may want to think twice about making a big future oriented decision:

  • After a bad day (or even a very good one)

  • After vacation

  • After a fight or argument

  • At night

  • When you're tired or hungry

What are other situations when you feel a heightened sense of emotions that could affect your ability to make informed decisions? Always take the time to pause and think….

Steven Rubin, SEL Director of The Meeting House Youth and Young Adult Programs

Janet Dakey
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