New Year's Goals

I have to thank Dmitry for inspiring this post. In the middle of last year, we had a conversation about goals and he told me that he had written his goals down as they are more likely to be accomplished if they are written and can be referred back to. I have put my personal goals down, but I wanted to share some jiu jitsu goals that I think are worthwhile and have been my goals throughout the years. Some of these are in concert with things I have seen written in Gracie Magazine.

1. Compete at every level. Start with white belt and compete often. It just gets easier. Every time I have trained for competition I have watched my jiu jitsu get better regardless of the outcome in the competition. It is a great way to progress.

2. Learn Portuguese or another language.

3. Learn to Teach.

4. Encourage a friend, family member, child to start jiu jitsu. Think of what it means to you and what it would mean to you and another if you could start them down the same path.

5. Try acai, guarana antarctica, churasco, feijoada, or corazon de galinha. (See me if you don't know what any of these words mean)

6. Know the history of your art. Pick up the book The Gracie Way by Kid Peligro. Watch UFC 1-20. Go back and watch Mundial videos for the last 10 years.

7. Supplement your training. Judo, Yoga, Crossfit, Muay Thai, Gi Jiu Jitsu for all you mma guys reading this. It will only make you better, more flexible, stronger, etc.

8. Take an unforgettable trip to train, compete or watch something jiu jitsu related. UFC, Pan Ams, Mundials, Brazil...

9. Reflect on your mistakes. After growing from them, shed them from your shoulders. (taken from graciemag.com)

10. Let go of the submission and keep the flow going - literally and figuratively.

Happy New Year!