Photo Credit: IMDB

Never have I been involved in anything where I was so totally consumed in examining my weaknesses, my faults, and my areas to improve than in bjj.  We are constantly evaluated by ourselves, our training partners, and our instructors.  It is a seemingly endless quest for improvement through constantly looking judgementally at our game and seeking out a better path - searching evermore for what can be made better.  It is this challenge that in many ways drives us all and it is this inability to hide our inadequacy in the shadows that gives bjj it's value.

That said, it can become discouraging at times.  So if you are there, try something new.  Look instead at the positive aspects of your game.  What is going well?  What are you pulling off in class?  Maybe you are rolling more without becoming tired.  Maybe it is as simple as surviving longer against the better players in your club?  Maybe you pulled off that new submission you have been thinking about, or are now able to hold down an opponent from side control.  Perhaps just making it to class with the demands of life is a victory in itself.

Whatever it is that is going well - whatever is going your way - take a moment and savor that.  Congratulate yourself.  Relish the accomplishement and bring a bit of balance to your bjj thoughts.

Feel better?  Good.   Now get back to critiquing every thing you every did wrong and examining even the smallest weakness.  Gotta love jits!