BJJ instructor and motivation expert Billy Hofacker teaches a combat sports guide to staying motivated:
One of the first individuals who studied the relationship between motivation and behavior was philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in the 1800s. He described motivation as being “moved into action.”
Two very different paths
I have always been curious as to what causes people to take specific actions. Let’s take jiu-jitsu for example: How come when one practitioner is injured he may “hang it up” while another may face the same obstacle but go on to be a champion? I have gone as far as getting formal education on the psychology of motivation in addition to studying the lives of many successful people.
Here are 3 tips that you can begin taking immediately to get closer to your combat goal:
Tip #1: Set Goals
Set one big goal at a time and break it into smaller chunks. Aim to complete two of your sub-goals (smaller chunks) each week. Both your main goal and your sub-goals should be written out. Remember, what gets written gets done.
Tip #2: Chart your progress
It is important to keep track of what you get done and where you are in relation to your goal. This will help you keep your eye on the prize. These guideposts help you keep things in perspective and will keep you working toward your goal. It will feel good to literally check off goals that you accomplished each day or week.
Tip #3: List the reasons you want to reach your goal
This is one tip that has really helped my clients reach their goals faster. If you have one reason for reaching a goal, this will help create a certain amount of drive in you. If you have 10 reasons, your motivation will increase that amount more. The idea is to think of and list as many reasons as possible.
It takes years of training in combat sports like BJJ and MMA to acquire a conceptual understanding. Sometimes the road can be difficult and you may even feel like you are not seeing the results you would have hoped for. At times like this I encourage you to stay positive and keep your eye on your goal. Further, it is important to enjoy your journey. You are probably closer than you think to a major breakthrough!
I completely agree, especially about keeping records. If you don’t have a record of something then how can you know if you’re improving or falling behind?
When it comes to fitness, it’s especially easy to track your progress. It’s as simple as making a note like this: “July 22nd, 400 meter max effort, 1:15,” or “january 1st, 20 kipping pullups.” Now you’ve got a record for all time, a measure of your former glory or a definitive starting point for future improvements.