Setting up for success

I have learned pretty early on that my chance of success increases exponentially if I set an aim before I begin a task. Conveniently enough, having learned it in one facet of life; I am able to apply it across the board and it has helped me tremendously in Ju Jitsu.

During the first few moments of every class, as we're sitting in Sezan; I set my aim for the day. As I first joined this Dojo, my only aim was to face each class with enthusiasm and to open my mind to learn. I knew that I needed to learn an endless amount of new norms/customs (not to mention actual martial arts) from very different people who express themselves in equally different ways.

Nowadays, I still use those moments very carefully. While my aim is always to be enthusiastic and to keep an open mind, I am also able to focus on areas that require more attention. Undoubtedly as a white belt there are many of these areas that need more than a few corrections. But one at a time, I tackle my sloppy breakfall, fear of hip throws, less than perfect Tai Sabaki, etc. and surely enough I am gradually able to reduce the amount of mistakes.