Imagine that you're on a road, a journey that will take you years, decades even... But you don't have internet service with you.

GPS is malfunctioning. And, well, you didn't bring a map either (who carries a map with themselves these days anyways).

In other words, you're on a journey but you don't know how to get to your destination... If you even had a destination in the first place, that is.
Sounds weird? Who would go on a years, decades-long journey without a destination in mind?

Well, here's another question: might this be the same thing that's happening to your Jiu-Jitsu?

GOAL SETTING IN JIU-JITSU

It's easy to fall in the trap of just "taking it day by day" in training, without taking the bigger picture into account. The bigger picture being your progress.

For sure, it's fun to just be present, to be consistent, and to give it your best on the mats - while you're already there. And often, that's enough to improve.

But "enough" probably isn't the word you like too much, given that you're already reading this blog post.
Rather, you want to transcend the "enough" and aim for the best.
And if you want the best, then you have to start setting goals.

You have to know what you're aiming for, you have to know what your target is, so that you can hit it.
That target needs to be realistic and challenging as well. It also needs to have a solid deadline, so that you feel some pressure to earn it.

Plus, don't make "belts" a goal. Your goals should be about gaining skills.
Learning and improving in a given position. Becoming better at defending and escaping another one. Competing more often. Getting more Kimuras.

And guess what? You may not achieve your goals.
But the work towards those goals will be enough to keep improving for however long you continue to train.

Remember: those who train hard but don't know where they're going... Are likely running in circles.
And you don't want that. You want to know where the finish line is - and then aim for it with focus and dedication.

Set goals, today. Skill-oriented goals.
Then, work hard towards them. And progress is guaranteed.

 

 

 

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