Why bother to set big goals? Well, one reason is because larger goals give you a much broader
frame when measuring your progress and growth.

Focusing only on small, immediate goals helps in the short-term, but in the martial arts we’re always thinking long-term as well.

Another reason is that setting your sights on large scale achievement provides a motivational boost.

How?

Engaging in the pursuit of a worthy goal or objective on the mat or off gives a powerful structure to your time and energy.

We need that structure so we don’t end up spinning our wheels.

The truth is that the only way most of us see real results is by taking serious action. When you have an exciting goal to reach for, it’s much easier to take action.

Some people get nervous about large goals. After all, the bigger the goal…the bigger the obstacles.

But remember there are countless stories of people overcoming the odds and the obstacles that get in their way.

Why? Because they were determined to succeed no matter what obstacles interfere.

Most truly worthwhile achievements are usually very difficult to accomplish. In the grand scheme of life, tougher goals tend to toughen us up. And it’s been said that the tougher that we are on ourselves, the easier life will be on us.

Many people love training for Black Belt and beyond in the martial arts because they understand that it’s meant to be a challenging goal.

It brings challenges of skill, will and desire. In the pursuit, we become stronger and stronger…mentally, physically and emotionally.

A person with a strong will can go much farther in life than someone that is quick to give in to obstacles and setbacks.

So don’t be afraid to set bigger goals and take a broader vision. The next time you encounter an obstacle and are tempted to give up on your goal, consider that what you become in the pursuit of that large goal is often as important as what you get at the end.

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Learn more about the training at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Want to get started with us? Here’s how (click here). 

If you’ve done it for more than a few weeks, you know that training in the martial arts is more than just getting fit, learning a few techniques and hoping for the best.

Hidden in the practice are a series of problem-solving routines that help us to untangle not just what to do in stressful self-defense situations, but how to handle the problems and challenges that show up in our lives day to day.

Asking questions is an excellent way to expand your knowledge base in the martial arts classroom…and it’s a great habit to develop if you’re interested in your personal growth off the mat as well.

Whenever you ask a question, by definition you’re moving outside the range of what you already know. And if you’re asking yourself good questions, you’re activating your creative, problem-solving side.

So what’s the best way to start asking yourself these good questions?

Well, there’s good news and bad news.

The good news is that your brain will always present an answer to any question you ask yourself. The answer may not necessarily be true, but your brain “feels” obligated to respond to your questions, and will do its best to present you with some kind of answer.

The bad news is that if you’re asking the wrong questions (or the right questions in the wrong way), you can end up without good answers. Here’s an example.

“Why am I always failing?” can easily lead to an answer like, “Because I can’t understand this stuff.”

“How can I succeed in this venture?” primes you to consider more creative and useful answers.

Sometimes, especially if we’re stuck with a problem we can’t seem to get rid of, “why” questions can lead us in circles. So one approach is to replace our “why” questions with action questions:

* How can I do this?

* What do I need to do next?

* When do I need to finish this?

* Where do I need to be right now?

* What do I need to learn here?

*Who can I ask about this problem?

*What can I do differently?

Reframing the problem illuminates the path out of it. It doesn’t mean we don’t need to ask “why” questions…just that if we’re really in the trenches with a relationship issue or a dip in motivation, we need to solve the trouble first, then circle back to figure out where it came from.

So… what do you ask yourself in every situation? What is your overall attitude towards your life?

So work to developing a few “subconscious” problem-solving skills. Adjust your questions for better answers. You’ll find it can be a great benefit when it comes to working through issues in training as well as the rest of life.

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Learn more about the training at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Want to get started with us? Here’s how (click here).