At just 25-years-old, Randall Cobb already has numerous impressive titles under his belt -- wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers and Super Bowl champion are two that immediately spring to mind.
But, he recently added one more accomplishment to his ever-growing roster of bragging rights: college graduate. Earlier this month, Cobb earned his degree from the University of Kentucky, making him the first member of his immediate family to graduate from college.
Did Cobb need the degree? Not necessarily. He was drafted as an underclassman, and has since made an impressive living for himself. In 2015, he signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Green Bay Packers -- which also included a $13 million signing bonus.
So, it's safe to say he didn't need an education in order to guarantee financial security or a pay increase. Instead, he did it purely for his own satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.
Today, professional athletes are celebrities in their own right. And, despite their immense talent and dedication to their sports, they're not often looked at as anyone you can extract any wisdom and insights from. They don't exist to educate -- they exist to entertain.
However, in reality, entrepreneurs actually have a lot to learn from athletes like Cobb and his obvious commitment and perseverance. Here are just four of the many, many business lessons you can learn from this $10 million per year NFL wide receiver.
1. You're Never Done Learning
Let's face it -- in all likelihood, Cobb already has most of the information and skills he needs in order to continue be successful in his chosen career path. He knows how to stay fit. He knows how to run plays. He knows how to perform on the field.
But, even though he's already mastered his current endeavor, Cobb is evidence that there's always more that you can learn. You shouldn't be content to stagnate and coast through the rest of your career, no matter how far up the ladder you've already climbed.
There's always room for growth, improvement, and continued learning. Push yourself to keep expanding your horizons -- there's no end in sight.
2. Dedication is Your Greatest Quality
Cobb was drafted in 2011 as an underclassman at the University of Kentucky. Although he left college in order to play professional football, he made a promise to himself that he would return and complete his degree.
He still has two more classes to finish this summer to bring his college education to a final close. However, his commitment and dedication to fulfill his own promise is a lesson we can all learn something from.
It's easy to think that success is attained through skill, experience, or even your extensive network of connections. But, when you boil it down, your determination and perseverance are ultimately what will carry you across the finish line.
3. You'll Always Make Time for the Things You Want
While the life of a professional athlete comes with some pretty sizable paychecks, it also involves a healthy dose of hard work. Early mornings, late nights, and an extensive travel schedule make for a pretty busy lifestyle.
During the season, your average NFL player doesn't have a lot of downtime. So, the fact that Cobb managed to squeeze in time for his education is admirable -- and an important lesson for all of us.
Life gets busy, and your schedule can fill up in a hurry. But, in the end, you have to make the time for those things you really want to go after. If you truly want something bad enough, you'll find a way to fit it in.
4. Money Isn't an Indicator of Success
When most of us think of achieving major success, we often think of accumulating wealth along with it. However, Cobb is a great example of the fact that your value isn't necessarily directly tied to your bank account.
Earning $10 million per year, he was more than successful in a financial sense. But, he recognized that prosperity isn't measured in just dollars and cents.
Instead, his true sense of success resided in his personal sense of achievement and the ability to reach a major milestone -- not in his wallet.
Professional athletes likely don't top your list of inspirational professional mentors and business leaders. However, every entrepreneur can learn something from Cobb's commitment to both his sport and his education.
We can all make excuses not to go after something -- in fact, Cobb could've made 10 million of them. But, if this Super Bowl champion can find the inner motivation to chase continuous growth, you have no excuse.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
But, he recently added one more accomplishment to his ever-growing roster of bragging rights: college graduate. Earlier this month, Cobb earned his degree from the University of Kentucky, making him the first member of his immediate family to graduate from college.
Did Cobb need the degree? Not necessarily. He was drafted as an underclassman, and has since made an impressive living for himself. In 2015, he signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Green Bay Packers -- which also included a $13 million signing bonus.
So, it's safe to say he didn't need an education in order to guarantee financial security or a pay increase. Instead, he did it purely for his own satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.
Today, professional athletes are celebrities in their own right. And, despite their immense talent and dedication to their sports, they're not often looked at as anyone you can extract any wisdom and insights from. They don't exist to educate -- they exist to entertain.
However, in reality, entrepreneurs actually have a lot to learn from athletes like Cobb and his obvious commitment and perseverance. Here are just four of the many, many business lessons you can learn from this $10 million per year NFL wide receiver.
1. You're Never Done Learning
Let's face it -- in all likelihood, Cobb already has most of the information and skills he needs in order to continue be successful in his chosen career path. He knows how to stay fit. He knows how to run plays. He knows how to perform on the field.
But, even though he's already mastered his current endeavor, Cobb is evidence that there's always more that you can learn. You shouldn't be content to stagnate and coast through the rest of your career, no matter how far up the ladder you've already climbed.
There's always room for growth, improvement, and continued learning. Push yourself to keep expanding your horizons -- there's no end in sight.
2. Dedication is Your Greatest Quality
Cobb was drafted in 2011 as an underclassman at the University of Kentucky. Although he left college in order to play professional football, he made a promise to himself that he would return and complete his degree.
He still has two more classes to finish this summer to bring his college education to a final close. However, his commitment and dedication to fulfill his own promise is a lesson we can all learn something from.
It's easy to think that success is attained through skill, experience, or even your extensive network of connections. But, when you boil it down, your determination and perseverance are ultimately what will carry you across the finish line.
3. You'll Always Make Time for the Things You Want
While the life of a professional athlete comes with some pretty sizable paychecks, it also involves a healthy dose of hard work. Early mornings, late nights, and an extensive travel schedule make for a pretty busy lifestyle.
During the season, your average NFL player doesn't have a lot of downtime. So, the fact that Cobb managed to squeeze in time for his education is admirable -- and an important lesson for all of us.
Life gets busy, and your schedule can fill up in a hurry. But, in the end, you have to make the time for those things you really want to go after. If you truly want something bad enough, you'll find a way to fit it in.
4. Money Isn't an Indicator of Success
When most of us think of achieving major success, we often think of accumulating wealth along with it. However, Cobb is a great example of the fact that your value isn't necessarily directly tied to your bank account.
Earning $10 million per year, he was more than successful in a financial sense. But, he recognized that prosperity isn't measured in just dollars and cents.
Instead, his true sense of success resided in his personal sense of achievement and the ability to reach a major milestone -- not in his wallet.
Professional athletes likely don't top your list of inspirational professional mentors and business leaders. However, every entrepreneur can learn something from Cobb's commitment to both his sport and his education.
We can all make excuses not to go after something -- in fact, Cobb could've made 10 million of them. But, if this Super Bowl champion can find the inner motivation to chase continuous growth, you have no excuse.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
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