January is traditionally the time of year for ambitious “new year, new you” goals. Generally, people tend to set goals and abandon them roughly three weeks later. But pairing the fleeting motivation that inspires you to set goals in the first place with the discipline to follow through can be really rewarding. And that brings us to BJJ specifically. Here are 4 excellent New Year’s resolutions for your BJJ journey.
Start with Your Goals
Yes, this applies to any resolution, not just BJJ goals. But you can’t set out to accomplish a goal without first setting that goal. And the secret is to be really specific about what you want to accomplish. Once you’ve decided on a few goals, write them down. Maybe it goes in a notebook with all your BJJ notes. Maybe you stick it to the fridge with a magnet. Just put them somewhere where you can reflect on them regularly so they stay top of mind.
If you’re struggling to come up with something, it’s always helpful to go back to the “why.” Why did you start training BJJ in the first place? Where did you see yourself six months, twelve months, two years down the road?
Commit to a Training Schedule
This is where the discipline aspect comes into play. Motivation only gets you so far. Inevitably, you have to be disciplined enough to put in the work, even when it’s the very last thing you want to do. Sit down with your calendar and jot down all the training sessions you plan to attend. Do it for a few weeks at a time. Then, prioritize those sessions like they’re any other important appointment. Unless you’re injured or sick, get to class. Without consistency, you will not progress. There’s just no way around it.
Support Your Goals with a Clean Lifestyle
Nutrition, hydration, stress management, adequate sleep aren’t just necessary components of a healthy lifestyle. These are the things you need to be doing to support all your hard work on the mat. Think of them as lifestyle pillars. Together with your BJJ training, they’ll help you move ever close to those resolutions.
Count finding balance in these lifestyle pillars too. Mindfulness activities like meditation, stretching, breath work, and yoga are essential for balancing the physical demands of BJJ training. Plus, they can help you improve recovery and even minimize the risk of injuries.
Challenge Yourself
No one likes being out of their comfort zone. But that’s where the growth happens. Whether you’re miles out of your comfort zone and just getting started in BJJ, or you’re a seasoned grappler who likes to stick to their lane, there’s always opportunity to challenge yourself.
In Reno, Guerrilla BJJ has the instruction and the community to support your BJJ goals. Consider this your official invitation to see for yourself. Contact us today to get started.