You’re Not “There”, Because “You’re Here Now”

I remember when I first started Jiu-Jitsu. I sucked -- oh boy did I ever suck. But I didn't just suck skill wise, I sucked in every department. From strength and endurance to coordination, and my ability to recover between rounds.

I remember my dreaded walks across the cold white floor of a Tae Kwon Do school restroom from 2001/2002.

Between rounds I would splash water on my face, head, and down the back of my neck at a poor attempt to cool off in the relentless South Texas heat.

I used to look in the mirror and say, "dude, why do you suck so bad?"

Why haven't you improved? 

It's been almost a year now.

Are you ever gonna get good at this?!

I used to always wonder "why wasn't I there yet".

Truth is, I wasn't ready for it, yet.

You ever wonder that?

Ever wonder "why" you're still in the same place when it comes to: strength training, weight loss, Jiu-Jitsu, and life in general?

Ever ask yourself

... why don't I have that job yet?
... why haven't I lost "x amount" of pounds?
... why am I still a BJJ blue belt after 10 years?
... why does my strength and endurance still suck?
... why is my business still in the same place after "X years"?

It's pretty simple.

You're not "there", because you're "here" in your current reality.

God will never give you something NOW if you're not ready. You don't have *it* now because you're not ready for it.

Think about it...

What would happen RIGHT NOW if I (or your coach) gave you your BJJ black belt only after a year of training in your current mindset, habits, skills and work ethic?

How do you think you would represent the black belt?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, it wouldn't go very well.

You'll likely get crushed on the mat because you simply don't have the skills leading you to doubt yourself as a man and destroy any confidence you had.

Same for weight loss or strength training, what would happen if you magically lost 20 pounds or had a 600 pound deadlift?

Would you have the right mindset and habits around nutrition to be able to keep the weight off?

How about your skill set for the deadlift

... would you have the skills and work ethic to maintain a 600 pound deadlift?

The answer would likely be , "NO".

Instead of focusing on "why am I not there" -- focus on "what can I do today" to get where I want to be.

Remember

"... inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard is hard."

This switch in mindset changed everything for me not only in Jiu-Jitsu but, in my ability to show up better as a man, husband, and father.

Ask yourself, "what can I do today to... ?"

If you've struggled with this mindset, leave a comment, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

Hec