Victory Is Not (Only) About Preparation
We talk a lot about preparation. Let’s talk about action.
The most important habit that has helped me to become “more successful” has not been my training, studying, or preparation. The most important habit has been throwing myself into the things I do, regardless of whether or not I am prepared.
The Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the picture above, for example, was just a few weeks after I got my brown belt.
Looks like I had fun, doesn’t it?
The truth is, I didn’t have to compete.
Saying “I don’t want to compete at brown belt yet, I’m not ready” would have been a perfectly viable excuse. I jumped in the event anyway, “for something to do”.
I even got my ankle popped the day before this match. It was the same ankle that that due was ripping on.
The point is, I had several excuses for reasons why I could choose to not compete.
I did it anyway because the upside was far greater than the downside.
The upside of winning a medal, building my confidence, and improving my skills by testing them far exceeded the benefits of sitting at home and eating Cheetos.
