Having called Philadelphia home for nearly 25 years, I was glad to see the Eagles dominate the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Sunday’s Super Bowl. While I prefer a nail-biter over a blowout, Mahomes has already led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl championships in the last five years—so it was definitely time for a new champion.
Still, I felt for the Chiefs. It’s crushing to come so far, to be so close to victory you can almost taste it, only to watch someone else savor the moment while you’re still left hungry.
But in moments like these, an important question emerges:
Do You Play for the Love of the Game, or Just for the Trophy?
The irony? In just a few weeks, after the parade is over and the celebration fades, both teams start back at square one. Even for the Eagles, with their shiny new trophy and (undoubtedly ostentatious) championship rings, the question remains:
Now what?
They can be proud of their victory, but they can’t live in the past. The next season starts, and the journey begins all over again.
And for approximately 25% of the entire NFL roster that turns over every year, the “Now what?” takes on an even more profound meaning.
The Mirror Test: Would You Still Choose This Path?
If you asked most NFL players who have never won a Super Bowl, “Looking back, if you knew that you’d never win a championship ring, would you still have put your life into football, or would you have chosen another path?”—what do you think they’d say?
Of course, losing is disappointing. But I’d bet that every single one of them—including those who made it to a Super Bowl but didn’t win—would say they can’t imagine not at least trying. They live to play football. They would rather have the chance and lose than never have the chance at all.
Now, Take That Question and Turn It Toward Yourself.
We’ve all been on a career track for a long time. Maybe:
- Your parents pushed you to major in something specific like engineering or accounting, so you followed the logical, safe, expected path.
- You loved your industry and aspired to leadership, but somewhere along the way, you lost your passion and stayed simply because you’d invested too much to change.
- You’re pushing toward the next promotion because it’s been your brass ring for so long that you can’t imagine what you’d do if you weren’t reaching for it.
But what if you stopped and asked yourself:
✅ Does what I do every day truly make me happy?
✅ Does it inspire me?
✅ Do I feel like I make a difference?
✅ Can I imagine not doing it every day?
✅Am I Just Chasing the Next Trophy, or Am I Still Playing for the Love of the Game?
What’s Next for You?
If you read this and thought, Yes! I want nothing more than to reach the next level because I love my industry, my role, my company—then congratulations! That’s fantastic. Keep striving, keep growing, and enjoy every step of the journey.
But if this made you pause, if it made you realize that:
- You may be financially comfortable, confident in your expertise, and respected by your peers…
- But you’re not truly fulfilled…
- Or you keep getting into the playoffs but can’t seem to win the championship and move up to the next level…
Then it’s time to look deeper.
Your Career Championship Moment Starts with a Game Plan
What if you woke up every morning excited to go to work, simply for the love of the game?
Maybe it's time to explore executive coaching and succession planning so you can finally take home the championship ring in your career.
This is What We Do in Quantum Leap.
In my Quantum Leap Executive Transition Coaching program, we:
- Ask the right questions to uncover what would truly make you happy.
- Identify what’s missing and what’s keeping you stuck.
- Build a career strategy that aligns with your passions, strengths, and long-term fulfillment.
If you're ready to stop chasing trophies and start loving the game you play, let’s talk.
