You have dreams, right? It might be to become an elite grappler one day – or perhaps you’re dreaming of something else, outside of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu realm. Nevertheless, whatever your dreams may be, you should be working towards turning them into a reality. What’s more, you also need to protect them.
Dean Lister spoke about this in an interview for BJJ Eastern Europe, drawing advice from lifelong experience:
I don’t want to sound super negative, but you need to realize that many people don’t want to see you happy or successful or achieving your dreams in life. An average person, someone you might not even know, will consciously or subconsciously send negative energy towards your dreams.
„What, you think that you could win that tournament? No, those guys are too strong for you!“ Or: „You think that you could be a doctor? Do you know how much time and studying and money that will cost you?“ These are very common and come in various shapes and sizes.So, don’t tell your dreams to strangers or to people that you don’t care about. Ignore the negative opinions and gossip – OR make these things work for you. They will make you stronger, as they have made me!
He even emphasized the importance of being picky who your girlfriend or boyfriend will be:
Be careful of who you choose as your girlfriend or boyfriend. This is very important, as it can turn out very positively or very negatively for you, depending on who you’re with.
I know several fighters who could’ve been world level, but who made a wrong decision with their boyfriend or girlfriend. I got to meet men and women that no one else will ever know.
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Make sure to read the entire interview with Dean Lister on the following link.
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