So many of us love Jiu-Jitsu because of the benefits we derive from being on the mat. From the camaraderie, the health benefits, to the competition aspects and more. But one of the most amazing things I have discovered in the last ten years of the training is that the lessons learned on the mat carry over to life in several meaningful ways. Here are five examples of things you learn on the mat that directly correspond to lessons in life.
One-The more time you spend dealing with uncomfortable positions, the more comfortable you becoming dealing with adversity. Everyone who trains Jiu-Jitsu for any amount of time knows that when you’re first being rolling with your partners, you spend a lot of time in inferior or uncomfortable positions. As you continue to train and gain experience, you gradually become more confident that you will be able to persevere through these positions. One you realize the power of this principle, everyday problems in life become more manageable.
Two-Timing and leverage are the keys to coming out ahead in situations. On the mat, you quickly learn that while you may be correctly performing the mechanics of a move, it still might not work for you. It is then that you realize that sometimes it’s not the move itself that is wrong, but rather the time or angle at which you are applying is wrong.
Three-Being flexible and adaptable are more important than being rigid and stubborn. While there is something to be said for being persistent, it is a whole different thing entirely to being stubborn and unwilling to adapt on the mat. How many times have you seen a beginner try unsuccessfully to finish a submission that is simply not working only to miss out on an opening for another one? Yet again, this a principle that when applied to life outside of the mat can open up many doors and opportunities.
Four-Time and dedication pay off. One thing that many black belts consistently say is that the secret to Jiu-Jitsu is to just keep showing up. I think this is a testament to dedication. There are many ups and downs in Jiu-Jitsu. There are great training days and there a bad ones. But by continuing to be out there day after day and persevering through the many challenges you will face, eventually positive results will come.
Five-Being humble and respectful to others is the key to meaningful relationships. One of the incredible things about Jiu-Jitsu is that some of the most skilled and dangerous people on the planet are also the most humble and unassuming. Because of this, many people are drawn to them and amazed by their calm and friendly demeanor. This is just one of many reason why members of the Jiu-Jitsu family can travel around the world and instantly connect with one another.
Jiu-Jitsu provides so many of us an unparalleled joy on the mat. It continues to grow and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular martial arts around. But what’s even more amazing then the benefits we get on the mat, is all of the benefits Jiu-Jitsu provides to our everyday lives!
Written by Tyson Kilbey
