P.S. I mentioned that I have to have a direction. I’ve realized recently how true that really is for me. I’m a very creative person. In my job and in my personal life, I innovate all the time. I’ve moved up in my job because I can see systems well. I recognize patterns and can identify trends. This is one of my strengths. But in BJJ, I don’t, and it just really dawned on me yesterday that this was true.
I was sparring with Bing yesterday, and it’s ridiculous how easy it is for him to move me around. At one point, seeing that I was a little frustrated, he said, “Steve, you just have to keep moving.” I know! But I didn’t know where to move. I didn’t know whether moving one way or another would make things worse. So, I just stopped.
Ultimately, something I need to figure out for myself is what’s going to work best for me. I have some questions I’m going to mull over, and maybe I’ll have an answer some day. Am I going to figure out how to bring my natural creativity into BJJ? Is it possible to be mentally creative but not physically creative? Or vice versa? I see guys who apply no conscious thought to their game. Of course, they study some technique, but when they roll, it’s fluid and intuitive. Is this something I need to learn or is it just something you either have or don’t have?
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Steve,
I admire your persistence and constant awareness of getting outside
of your comfort zone.
Another way of approaching your current frustration (and we all go
through it) is rather than focusing on the struggle:
Consider relabeling words and thoughts in positive terms.
Sort of re-packaging.
Our words/thoughts can be extremely powerful.
Reminding myself and it continues to help me have fun and succeed.
Maybe it’s something to think about.
Hope it was alright that I threw in my 2 cents.
Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy BJJ. 3 years already, wow!
Your comments are always welcome! Thanks. Believe it or not, I’m a very optimistic guy.
Let go Luke!
I’ll never learn the ways of the Jedi!
I think that this is something that ALL martial artists think about at one point in the training, regardless of style. It also does not help when one is sparring against people who are not so much better, but more experienced. It can make one think that they are either doing something wrong or as you say, it can make people question, weather they either have it, or dont.
Personally I believe that it is at times like this, when one is questioning themselves or there art that they think about the basics more. Extra leverage, more hip movement etc. This in my opinion leads to progression. So if my theory is correct, dont worry about it Steve, carry on training hard and eventually, it shall all come together nicely.
Thanks for the comment, Mark. I think that I’ve recently figured some important stuff out for myself, and expect that in the short term, it’s going to be a tougher road. Long term, though, I think it will make a big difference.
I feel you on this point Steve. I’m a creative person too – photography, writing, illustration, design, I am unafraid of tackling anything arts. But when rolling, I am too stuck in my comfort zone at times. Since recognising this at the beginning of 2009, I have got a little better, a tiny bit more adventurous and experimental. But I agree, there are those who’s rolling style is like a new artform spoken in a language our puny human minds have yet to decipher. One day…one day!!!
It’s really strange. I have a reputation at work for really being able to identify the root issues and address them in creative ways. For some reason, though, I’m completely conservative when it comes to BJJ. I don’t innovate at all. It’s a wierd thing.
But as you suggest, there’s nothing to do but persist. As I said in my posts, my word for this next year of training is struggle. I intend to make myself as uncomfortable as I can, putting myself in positions from which I must struggle. I think that’s the only way I’ll shake this thing.
Thanks for the comment!