Looking back on the past 10+ years of teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wondering why some people make it to black belt while others quit one thing stands out.

Discipline 

Having the disciple to show up to a class that will make you sweat rather than watching Netflix requires discipline. Skipping the bar and choosing to show up requires discipline. However, just knowing that doesn't make it easy.

There are going to be days that are easier than others while some weeks or even months seem like a constant challenge to do anything.

To help stack the decks in your favor, you can start to develop some good but simple habits. Here are a few things that have helped me as well as other students and training partners along the journey. 

Get an accountability partner

 Find someone at the gym who you enjoy training with and hold each other accountable to show up. Sometimes just knowing that you have someone who is relying on you to show up can make the difference between staying home or going to class.

Set your Gi or Training Gear Out The Night Before

If you have a busy day or long commute to work it can help to put your training gear in your car the night before or the morning of so that's one less thing to think about. This can also serve as that extra bit of motivation you need as you get off a long day of work or school.

Make your habits visible

Get a calendar that you can write on and put a big X on every day that you show up to class. Think of the X's like a chain and try not to break the chain. The more you see it each day the more you will feel motivated to push past the days you feel tired or lazy.

These are just a few ideas to help you along your journey but ultimately it has to come from you. You have to show up every week ready and willing to learn, work, and sweat. Then one day you will be standing in front of your teammates as you get that Black Belt tied around your waist. It's worth every bit of hard work... trust me.

P.S. Here is a video of the day I received my Black Belt from Robson Moura after training for over 12 years, if I can do it you can absolutely do it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahT8SqIOTcI