I would like to dedicate this post to all students from Higher Ground BJJ. Great article from Gracie Magazine. Here is a list of 15 habits so you can start achieving success in your training and life. My favorite is the number 6! What is your favorite?
1 - Pay attention to what is useful
How does a great martial artist see a fight? He sees only what is useful for his game and what is disposable, that's all. When you look at the martial arts world in this way, you stop worrying about what is "good" or "bad" and stop spending energy commenting and picking fights on the internet. There are only lessons, philosophies and techniques that has to be adapted for your game and others that are not worth it. As Roger Gracie recently said in a seminar, "I changed my armbar from the closed guard when a white belt made a weird grip and I felt uncomfortable. I saw that there was a way and I developed an innovation."
2 - Train always, not too much training
Mestre Alvaro Romano teaches us: "Quality of life means reaching 60’s with the ability to do the same activities that you liked in your 30’s. That’s an indescribable pleasure." Pursue healthy habits and train Jiu-Jitsu consistently, and feel that long-term pleasure.
3- Think of Tomorrow but do it Today.
Neiman Gracie, star of Bellator MMA, told us that he learned a short time ago. "I noticed when starting in professional MMA that what we start to train today will only serve in two to three years, so it's good to not miss today's training so we don’t delay any longer."
4 - Trophies and Medals are not your goal
Do not worry about results and titles in championships. As Rickson Gracie taught us, you can only control your effort and your training. Be demanding with your preparation, not with the final result, which must be given to a superior force, God or imponderable.
5 - Make life a good example
Pass on your healthy habits to your family and friends.
6 - Talk to yourself
Self-knowledge and reflection are useful for the practitioner to evolve on the mats. Look into yourself with honesty and transparency, and understand how you are feeling, and how it was brought to you. Where did you fail? What was the mistake? How to prevent this from happening again? The answers are often within us.
7 - Train your ears
Seek help from the more experienced. 100% of the greatest champions of all sports have learned to overcome “bumps on the road” with the advice of a master or a more experienced friend. LISTEN!
8 - Internet Rat may fall into the trap
Use technology to your advantage, and don’t be a slave of it. “Copying Youtube position and not training the basics is probably the biggest mistake of today’s new generation,” says Roger Gracie. “People get excited about berimbolo and other fancy moves and forget the basic for example, that always save us from those tough moments during the fight”.
9 - Time is your best friend.
"Horse that arrives early drinks clean water," says the wise Japanese saying. Don’t be late for training. Appearing at the scheduled time is a sign of respect with the professors, with the training partners and your body will appreciate you for doing the warm-up pre-workout.
10 - Blank Mind/ Bedtime
Do not let your mind and reflections get anchored during bedtime. Pounding an idea in the head leads to insomnia, which can reflect on your next day training. Did you think of something important, an idea or an innovation? Go to the paper or register on your phone to empty your mind and go to sleep.
11 - Be a gentle tough guy
The Jiu-Jitsu community is small, and a person that you helped today can welcome you tomorrow at his gym. Saulo Ribeiro once said: "One of the biggest regrets I've had in Jiu-Jitsu was that I could not go at other rivals academies and be able to learn from my opponents out of competition scene. There was too much of a rivalry and politics.
12 - Each training, one goal
Do not expect a perfect training partner fall from the sky. Look for lower belts to try new positions, and learn getting smashed by higher belts. As Kron Gracie taught: "When I opened my gym, training with students and beginners allowed me to practice more loosely, without pressure, in which I could repeat all the techniques to the extreme, until I knew them by heart.
13 - Habit does not make the monk, but does make the samurai
The time outside of the mat is important as in the mat. Drink water every hour to lubricate the body and avoid injuries; notice how your breathing is.
14 - Adapt
Do not blame your biotype for bad performance in training. Caio Terra considered one of the most technical jiu-jitsu world champions, suffered in the first few months of training because he thought he was too skinny. But he never gave up.
15 - Have a hobby outside of Jiu-Jitsu
One of the secrets of happiness is to take your obligations lightly and your leisure seriously. Surfer Eraldo Gueiros does not miss a Jiu-Jitsu training session, while his teacher Vitor Terra does not miss a good Sunday at the beach. For example: Surfing and Swimming are great activities for Jiu-Jitsu fighters that need to relieve their muscles in the cold water once in a while.
