99% Of Life...

...is just showing up. I don't remember who said it, but it is so true. You want to pass college, go to class. You want to be good at jiu jitsu and reach your goals, show up to class.

I know its not that easy, but one of the things I have found that has been successful with me is to set a schedule. I train jiu jitsu Monday night, kick boxing Tuesday night, train jiu jitsu Wednesday night, train kick boxing Friday, and do open mat every other weekend. I don't deviate from that unless there is a holiday, injury/sickness or special occasion.

Don't flash train. I see these guys that are gung ho for a week and then they burn out. Even if you are coming off an injury and jonesing for it, make a schedule and stick to it.

Even if you can just come once a week and the second day is variable. Make that day. No excuses. Get in the car, get on the T and get here. The rest will take care of itself and you are always glad you did afterwards.

Things taste better, the couch feels comfier.

Execution

After watching this highlight of Rafael Lovato Jr (below), I got to thinking about another aspect that makes a practitioner advanced.

Execution.

You can learn all the techniques in the book but if you can't execute them during the roll what good are they?

The only way to learn to execute is by rolling with all ranks all the time; getting beat, trying new things. Lowering your defenses, taking chances, playing out of your comfort zone are also ways to increase your ability to execute. They come with risk but so do all great things.

So to you guys who show up consistently and consistently get beat on, take heart, you will be executing while those who have decided not to train with tough guys will be wondering why you the blue belt is kicking their black belt ass.

Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJzxLCCgJ8M

Because O'Hara's is getting a little beat!

According to Sharon and inspired by Stephanie (who has been an invaluable partner for the academy), I have decided to kick it up a notch in the new year for the Friday night excursion post training. No more will Tyler have to settle for the chicken sandwich at Woody's. We are going to experience the culinary treasure that is Boston. Every other week we will try to go to a new place. Hopefully more people can join us as we may be closer to where they live. Look for the sign at the academy for when we are going.

This Friday - Sunset Bar and Grill corner of Brighton and Harvard Ave in Allston - over 100 taps and they serve food until 1 am. We will meet there are 9:30 pm.

Some of the places I would like to go with y'all:

• Pizzeria Regina in the North End and maybe a little canoli afterwards at Cafe Vesuvius
  
• La Verdad for the best Fish Tacos this side of San Diego ...and the margaritas ain't too bad either
• Matt Murphy's
  
• Neptune Oyster House - best lobster roll in Boston
  
• Publick House
• Myers and Changs - Chinese Diner in the South End
  
• Charlie's Kitchen Harvard Square - Pitchers and Cheeseburgers baby!
  
• Chinatown - Ginza?
• Red Bones - Davis Square
  
• Brown Sugar Cafe for Thai
• Parish Cafe
• Rattlesnake Grill - roofdeck
• Union St - porch and million dollar renovation
• Middle East
• Om - Grendel's Den, men - women divergence and convergence