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- TFS#57: Discipline vs Self-Control
TFS#57: Discipline vs Self-Control
Some times, "just showing up" is enough. And other days it isn't enough.
Wayne Terran
June 11, 2023
There’s an issue with short quotes since most of them lack some context.
The popular “Just show up” is one of them.
I’m not saying this phrase isn’t true.
If you’re thinking that you’ve hit a plateau, or if you’re simply not good enough, then the saying holds true. The best thing you can do is to show up.
And it’s the first step to working out of a negative mental trap.
But if you’re reading this newsletter, you’re already taking measures to improve your Jiu-Jitsu that other people aren’t.
You’re probably more hard working than the average person at your gym.
(Let's be real, no one aims to be average.)
You care enough to invest your time in reading this newsletter in hopes that you can pick up something that will improve your game.
And that’s the small mental difference that separates you from the average person.
Though the differences may be small, Jiu-Jitsu is a long journey and those differences will compound into something bigger down the line.
And this is where your discipline begins.
Discipline - Do what you don’t want to do.
It’s the small things you do consistently that make up who you are.
And it’s easy to forget about them…since they can be so small.
“Just show up” is a great way to get yourself off the couch when you’re feeling low energy or unmotivated.
Some days that’s the only goal of the day. That bar might seem low, but that’s good enough for that slow-going day.
It's the first step to being good.
But don’t use it as your motivation everyday.
Because just showing up is also the bare minimum.
Using the “just show up” attitude assumes that you feel low-effort every day…which makes you a low-effort person.
We both know you’re better than that.
Self-Control - Don’t do what you want to do.
You know what you shouldn’t do: eat too much junk food, watch too much tv, or scroll through more social media.
If discipline is getting yourself to do the hard things, then self-control is the opposite: don’t do the easy things.
“Just show up” is the bare minimum you can do for your Jiu-Jitsu.
If you feel like you’ve plateaued, that’s because you’re probably not doing more for your growth.
You need to reach outside the normal routine.
If you want to get somewhere you’ve never been before, you need to be willing to do things you’ve never done before.
Actively seeking ways to improve will set you apart from the average person.
That’s how you can even catch up to those that might be ahead of you.
Summary
On some days, getting to class will help you improve over yesterday.
On other days, getting to class isn’t enough and you’ll have to do more to continue your growth.
If you’re having a bad day, tell yourself “just show up” and that’s all you have to do.
If you’re having a good day, ask yourself “what more can I do for myself?”
Resources For Your Promotion
→ Incase you’re dealing with any finger injuries from gripping, here’s some advice from the community.
→ Listen here to the top 3 reasons why your progression has stalled out.
→ Getting in better shape can be tricky, and you don’t have to make it harder on yourself. Check out these 7 common fitness myths to avoid.
→ A great read about the journey from white to blue. It includes words from a black belt about the full journey.
Closing Words
Part of the journey is constantly checking in on your current state of progress.
So keep that in mind as you roll into the new week.
It’s not about where your current skill levels are, but where you are taking them.
Whenever you're ready, there's 3 things you can do:
1. Share: If you're trying to help out a teammate get more resources, make sure to share this newsletter with them.