What if you never started Jiu-Jitsu?
People are outstanding at manufacturing pressure! So many Jiu-Jitsu students feel pressure because of time…
"I need to get in shape to start"
“Am I spending enough time on the mats?”
“Do I have enough time to prepare for this competition?"
"Am I ready for my next promotion?"
I understand these questions because we've all been there. But one of my favorite joys of Jiu-Jitsu, is to ask students who have been training a few months/years to assess the difference between themselves currently versus where they were when they started their journey.
The trials, losses, tribulations, humbling of the ego and the experience of micro wins and winning big that students go through in Jiu Jitsu is life changing. They see it once they look at it with the progress lens. It becomes clearly visible when they train with a brand-new student who just started. They can feel the difference!
Let me challenge you to think differently.
What if you had never started your Jiu-Jitsu journey?
What if you had waited another year…. or just kept saying "I'll join once I get in shape" and to never have stepped on the mats at all?
No matter where you are today – whether it’s week 1 or year 8 – you’re further along than ANYONE who never took that first step. (Exceedingly further than the people who don't need Jiu-Jitsu because of the superpowers they gather once "they see red".)
Progress is powerful.
Progress doesn’t come from talking about it and “saying you are going to do it” and just needing the perfect time. It comes from taking action and being consistent.
So instead of stressing about comparing yourself to others and stressing on time…
Start asking:
How can I improve today?
What's one skill I can improve on?
What's one new thing I can learn right now?
What's stopping me from getting better? (Hope it's not your ego 🏆)
NOT.....
I have to WIN this round at all costs
No one must ever sweep me
No one must ever submit me
I must dominate this round
We all have egos when we start. Stop comparing yourself! Not every practice, every round, and every minute must be won to keep your bloodline strong!
Get out of your own way, learn Jiu-Jitsu and have fun.
Never forget what Chris Haueter said "it’s not who's good, it's who's left".
Keep training - train smart!
