by Patrick Mahomes: Redefining Failure Through a Mindset of Success
At just 26 years old, Patrick Mahomes has already accomplished so much in his NFL career. He has a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl MVP award, and an NFL MVP award to his name. But what’s been most impressive about Mahomes is not just the hardware he’s collected so early, but the mindset that has allowed him to achieve such success. Through his attitude, resilience, and focus on growth over perfection, Mahomes seems to have redefined what “failure” means in his pursuit of excellence on the football field.
From a young age, Mahomes was instilled with a confidence in his abilities by his major league baseball playing father Pat Mahomes. As a kid, his dad never let him think he wasn’t good enough to accomplish his dreams. “He always told me I could be the best, that I just had to work hard at it,” Mahomes has said. This positive reinforcement helped shape Mahomes’ success mindset from the start.
Entering the NFL as the 10th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, Mahomes was given the opportunity to sit and learn for his first season behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith. While he no doubt wanted to start right away, Mahomes embraced this chance to observe and continue improving without pressure. His willingness to patiently develop demonstrates his focus has always been on the long term rather than short term gratification or results.
When Mahomes did get his shot as the starter in 2018, he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest statistical seasons in NFL history. He threw for over 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game in his first season as the full-time QB. However, what’s most impressive is how he handled adversity that season, showing the resilience that would become a hallmark of his game.
In Week 1 against the Chargers, Mahomes threw 3 interceptions in the first half. But instead of letting those mistakes get in his head, he refocused and led the Chiefs to victory with a dominant second half performance. He showed he wasn’t going to be defined by any single game or negative play. That resilience would serve him well throughout his career as he continually bounced back from rare setbacks or mistakes.
Another example came in the AFC Championship loss to the Patriots that season. While disappointed, Mahomes didn’t dwell on the defeat or see it as a failure. “I’m going to learn from it and get better,” he said afterward. Always focusing on improvement over results demonstrates Mahomes’ growth mindset. He’s never satisfied with where he’s at but is instead constantly striving to enhance his skills and leadership.
In his second season as starter in 2019, Mahomes took his game to an even higher level. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns, earning NFL MVP honors and securing the top seed for the Chiefs in the playoffs. But it was in the postseason where Mahomes truly solidified his legendary status, winning his first Super Bowl against the 49ers.
Down 10 points in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes engineered three touchdown drives to deliver an incredible comeback victory. Even more remarkable was how calm and collected he remained throughout the pressure-packed situation. His poise and belief in his abilities under extreme duress shows an almost unshakable confidence that has become his trademark.
After achieving the ultimate team goal of a Super Bowl title, many expected Mahomes may relax or take his foot off the gas pedal. But he has refused to rest on his laurels, instead constantly working to improve even from the pinnacle of success. In 2020, despite some injuries to himself and teammates, Mahomes led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl where they fell just short against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers.
While disappointed, Mahomes immediately looked ahead instead of dwelling in the past. “We’re going to go back to the drawing board and figure out how we can get better,” he said after the loss. Always focusing on the next challenge rather than any single result is a testament to his growth mindset. He approaches each season and game with a clean slate, refusing to attach his self-worth to outcomes or allow past accomplishments to breed complacency.
Some might see an interception, fumble, or Super Bowl loss as a failure. But Mahomes’ mindset has redefined failure not as any single play or result, but as giving up on one’s goals or potential for growth. As long as he continues progressing and learning from experiences, he won’t allow setbacks to deter his relentless pursuit of greatness.
This attitude has served Mahomes incredibly well so far in his young career. At just 26 years old, he already has a resume that most quarterbacks could only dream of. But what’s allowed him to achieve so much so quickly is his unwavering belief in his abilities combined with a growth mindset that frames challenges simply as learning experiences rather than pass/fail judgments.
By embracing adversity as a chance to get better instead of seeing it as a failure, Mahomes has elevated his mental game to an almost unstoppable level. As long as he maintains this success-driven approach and refuses to rest on his accomplishments, the sky seems to be the limit for what Mahomes can achieve in his career. He’ll undoubtedly continue facing obstacles. But with his redefined definition of failure that views it only as inaction, he seems primed to forever rewrite expectations for quarterback play in the NFL.
In summary, Patrick Mahomes’ approach to his career has been defined by a mindset of relentless improvement rather than a fear of failure. Through positive self-talk, resilience in the face of setbacks, and a constant focus on enhancing his skills, he has elevated his game to unprecedented heights at a young age. By refusing to be deterred or defined by outcomes and instead viewing challenges simply as learning experiences, Mahomes has redefined what failure means. As long as he maintains this growth-driven attitude, he seems destined for continued greatness and perhaps a place among the all-time best to ever play the game. His story serves as an incredible lesson on the power of mindset and its ability to overcome any obstacle.
