In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it's common to feel like you're not progressing quickly enough, which can be discouraging. To tackle this, it's helpful to differentiate between perspective and perception.
Perspective and perception are two concepts that, while related, serve different functions in how we interpret and respond to the world around us.
Perception: This is how you see your day-to-day training sessions. You might feel stuck or as if you're not learning new techniques as quickly as others. It's your immediate, often emotional reaction to your experiences on the mat.
Perspective: This is the broader view of your BJJ journey. It involves stepping back and looking at your progress over months or years. From this angle, you can often see a clear development in skills, even if day-to-day progress feels slow.
To manage feelings of depression or frustration with your pace of improvement:
Set small, achievable goals: Break down your training into smaller, more manageable goals. This could be improving a particular guard pass or mastering a specific submission. Achieving these can give you a sense of progress and accomplishment.
Keep a training journal: Documenting your training can help shift your perception by providing tangible evidence of your improvement and challenges. Reviewing your notes can also help you identify patterns or areas needing more focus.
Seek feedback: Regularly talk to your coach or training partners about your progress. They can provide an external perspective that might be more objective and encouraging.
Celebrate small victories: Recognize and celebrate the small successes, whether it's executing a move you've been practicing or simply feeling more confident during sparring.
Stress and Conflict Reduction: By shifting your perspective, you can often change your perception of stressful or negative situations. This can reduce the impact of stress and mitigate conflicts, as you may find new ways to interpret or respond to challenging circumstances.
Stay connected to the community: Being part of the BJJ community can provide emotional support and motivation. Engage with your peers, share your experiences, and support others in their journey.
By balancing your immediate perceptions with a broader perspective, you can maintain motivation and enjoy your BJJ journey, appreciating the learning process itself.