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TFS#62: Improve Faster
"Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself." Waiting to be spoon fed by instructors is the reason why a lot of people feel stuck.
Wayne Terran
July 16, 2023
“How do I get better faster?”
I have a few answers to that question, but there are a lot of steps in between that question and the results.
Whether you want to make strides in developing your game or getting to the next belt, you will have to be deliberate with your training.
So let’s jump into it.
1. Mindset
Here’s a reality you’ll have to accept: Jiu-Jitsu is hard and it’s going to be frustrating.
This is a statement for you to accept and not to be used as a suffer-brag for conversations.
Training Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t automatically make you a tough person.
2. Understanding your resources
The main problem is that most people don’t even know where to look.
Some instructors are great at explaining techniques while some instructors are great at motivating their students. And some can do both.
But understanding what your instructor’s strengths are will help you know what you can get out of them.
The same goes with other resources. Videos are great for visual, detailed techniques. Podcasts are great for acquiring new, conceptual ideas. And social media might be a great way to connect to other BJJ enthusiasts.
...Or my newsletter can connect you with all of them! Okay, I’m biased. But that’s the purpose of my newsletter, to provide resources and connect you with the best resources you can use.
3. Asking the right questions
There are such things as dumb questions.
So let's look at two different ways you can ask the same question:
A. “How do I get out of side control?”
B. “If I’m in bottom side control and framing on their bicep but they’re trapping my hips, what are some options I can explore?”
Question A is looking to be spoon fed.
Question B took the initiative to understand that their hips were trapped and couldn’t hip escape.
“Catch a fish for a man and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for a lifetime.”
4. Taking notes
Let’s be honest with ourselves: the older we get, the harder it is to keep everything sorted in our heads.
Taking notes requires practice. If you’re trying to write as your instructor is explaining, you won't be retaining the material effectively. It’s hard to split your attention between writing all the details and actually absorbing it.
It’s better to pay attention now and write your notes after class.
When you go on vacation and see something impressive, do you take a second to soak in the experience or do you immediately take out your photo to snap a picture? Be present.
Writing notes after class forces you to train your ability to recall. After all, your brain is a muscle.
The better your recalling ability gets, the easier it is to remember details and will improve your learning experience down the line.
It’s also more beneficial to trouble shoot on your own before jotting down notes.
You'll develop your personal shorthand or will be able to skip some details after having drilled and understanding the technique better.
And in turn, you’re more likely to maintain the habit of writing since it becomes easier and less cumbersome.
Also take notes on conversations you have with people.
5. Organizing notes
A part of taking notes is understanding how to organize it.
There are benefits to physically organizing your notes as it will make referencing in the future much easier—especially if you are considering teaching.
By building your notebook, you’re building something physical.
6. Testing moves
Setting time slots to drill is crucial. Even if it’s 10min before or after class, or on your own time.
Being able to drill and test your ideas is literally the process of creating your own style.
This craft belongs to only you and is what makes your Jiu-Jitsu unique.
You’re tailoring your game to give yourself a perfect fit…not just another move you got off the shelf.
7. Getting after it
Waiting to be taught versus seeking out your own knowledge is the difference between average and above.
Sometimes life doesn’t allow for these steps to become priority so I’m not ragging on those who can’t take these extra steps.
But just understand, if you want to stand out from average, you’re going to have to put in the work.
Closing Remarks
I’ll say this, the hardest part is getting started.
Once you find a rhythm and the right pace for your lifestyle, you’ll start to see the results.
Waiting to be spoon fed by instructors is the reason why a lot of people feel stuck.
Instead of being stuck, you’ll have solutions. Your own solutions, solutions you own.
"Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself."
Waiting to be spoon fed by instructors is the reason why a lot of people feel stuck.
For The Dedicated
→ For white belts: Finding your role in your gym can be your way of giving back to your community.
→ For blue belts: Catch this submission from the turtle position, a lot of people won’t see it coming.
→ For your longevity: Inner hip mobility will help with prevent lower back pain in addition to more explosive movements, check out this exercise here.
→ For your cardio:If you need to build stabilizer muscles in your lower body and increase your cardio at the same time, these couple movements will strengthen your legs and lungs.