Jiu Jitsu Life Lessons

You can learn the same move from many different people. Each person could have a different way of doing the same move. And those ways may or may not work for you. What you have to do is take in everybody's instruction and advice and figure out a way to accomplish the same thing for yourself.

Everyone is different. Some people react differently. Some people have different body types. You have to find out what works for you.

There will always be someone better than you.
There will always be someone that gives you a good run for your money. That you go back and forth with.
There will always be someone that you are better than.

Sometimes knowing the risks of something and still trying it, is more beneficial than staying safe and not doing anything.

Winning is good. Nobody likes to lose. But winning should not be the main focus. At the end of the day it is all about progression. The steps forward, whether it is giant leaps or baby steps. There is much to learn in losing.

Never give up. Even if every single muscle is tired. Even if your mind is overwhelmed. Never give up. You never know what can happen in the last few seconds. You never know who will win 3 minutes into sudden death.

You can listen to all the help yelled from your coaches, family and friends, but ultimately it is you who is competing. Only you know the exact pressures, energies, strengths and weaknesses of that competition. It is you who has to make the decision if you want to go with their advice or choose your own way of doing something. But you have to live with the outcome of that decision. Whether it is good or bad.

Sometimes when you are overwhelmed, tired and afraid; your best option might be to smile, relax and go with the flow.

Frustrating your opponent can be beneficial. Some good ways to frustrate your opponent: Act bored. Sing the song thats playing on the loud speaker. Smile for the camera.

Sometimes it's not really about the competition. Sometimes it's just about seeing old friends, meeting new people and creating and strengthening relationships and friendships.

Sometimes giving it all you got just isn't good enough to win. But maybe it is good enough that people will remember you for trying.

You may not always win, but there is always the chance to make it to the highlight reel.

You may not win today. You may not win tomorow. But that doesn't mean you aren't just as good. Everyone has their days to win.

Sometimes the slightest, slimmest, skinniest space that you leave could determine if you win or lose.

Sometimes in order to win, you have to switch your style up.

Sometimes the best way to win is to do what you do best.

Sometimes looks are deceiving. Sometimes the big steroid muscle guy will be beaten by the skinny lanky guy. Sometimes the big steroid muscle guy will beat the skinny lanky guy.

There are few always, but there are many sometimes. You never know what might happen from one situation to the next.

Watch out for the unexpected.

Sometimes in order to cut through all the bravado and testorone, you have to wear pink tights or a mask.

Sometimes you get so caught up and focused on the outcome of the match that you lose focus of the current situation and make things worse.

If you find yourself getting stuck or frustrated in a position, sometimes you have to take some time off and rest. Sometimes you have to explode and use a lot of energy. Sometimes you have to try something different. Sometimes you have to wait for your opponent to make a move.

Sometimes you have to try harder.

Sometimes you use your style so often without trying something new, that others have found ways around it.

You should always learn and practice new things. Sometimes when you practice new things you get beat. Sometimes when you practice new things you find better techniques.

The more you learn new techniques, the more options you have to use.

The more you practice, the more you learn.

The more you go forward and attack, the more your opponent is left to defend himself.

The more you go forward and attack, the more your opponent stops thinking about attacking you and starts thinking about defending himself.

The more you go forward and attack, the more your opponent makes mistakes.

Attack in combinations.

If you are content with where you are at, you will never progress.

Sometimes people learn or get better in a consistent pattern. Sometimes people learn or get better in bursts.

Sometimes you learn something and it makes no sense, but when you look at it later it makes total and complete sense. Sometimes it never will make sense. Sometimes you learn something and you never use it until half a year later.

Sometimes you stumble upon new discoveries.

Sometimes you have to make up your own moves.

Sometimes your student is better than you.

Sometimes you have to check your ego to progress.

Sometimes you want something so much and it doesn't turn out the way you planned. Sometimes you want something so much and it turns out better than you planned.

There is victory in defeat, if you have learned something.

You should always learn from your mistakes. You should always learn from others mistakes.

Sometimes you have to let go and see what happens. Sometimes when you hold on so tightly, you end up in a worse position than you started. Sometimes you defeat yourself before you actually compete.

Sometimes you find yourself playing to exactly where your opponent wants you.

Sometimes its not about winning, but having a good time with your partner.

Sometimes it takes people a longer amount of time and more mistakes to learn.

Sometimes you need another's opinion or help.

Sometimes you have to be taught something a hundred different times for it to stick. Sometimes you are shown something once and it is automatically added into your skills.

Sometimes you think your opponent to be so much better than you that you defeat yourself and miss out on the oppurtunity for him to prove it to you or for you to challenge him.

You can question the ref, but you must respect your ref.

Respect your opponent and his skills. Do not underestimate your opponent. Do not underestimate yourself.

After you win, thank your coaches and training partners. Do not just thank your sponsors.

Win or lose, stay on the mat until the referee raises the winners hand.

Shake hands! High five! Pound it! Smile! Have fun!

By Andrew Pak Wong

You may contact this author at www.myspace.com/dawongimpact