Photo: Luca Atalla
1. Train consistently (without worrying about evolving)
After all, learning is not a linear progression. Beginning tennis players whack the ball around every day, and then all of a sudden they’re winning professional matches.
2. Get to know your body better
The GRACIEMAGs on the Gracie Diet are out there, so lack of information is no excuse.
3. Learn to surf (or snowboard, or rock climb, or hang glide)
A good Jiu-Jitsu stylist needs other sources of adrenaline. Choose yours.
4. Perfect your self-defense
As we already know, Jiu-Jitsu is not just a fun pastime or a game of chess. It’s essentially a way to defend yourself. It’s thus no use having an impassable guard if you don’t know how to get out of a head lock.
5. Practice more defense than attack
As the master puts it, when you’re the anvil, take it. When you’re the hammer, strike. You can’t be the hammer if you’ve never been the anvil.
6. Compete
Sure, not everyone enjoys competing. But even if it’s just an internal championship, even if just once, it helps you know yourself better.
7. Travel
Jiu-Jitsu is important in that it opens your mind, as it is in that it lets you get to know other places. Follow the example of the sport’s stars, and travel.
8. Thank your parents and family
Another important value inherent in Jiu-Jitsu is family. Don’t go thinking you control time and that you can do it later. Show gratitude to yours whenever possible, and the turning of the year is a good pretext for taking such initiative.