May Word of the Month: CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE is the word of the month for May.

      In our daily lives, with work, school, relationships, or even jiu-jitsu, it's not uncommon to see people allowing each day to slip through without a challenge. This month I would like for you to challenge yourself on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. What do I mean by this?
     Have something you can do on a daily basis; picking up trash you see on the road, jumping rope for 5min. every morning, or something as simple as drinking 5 glasses of water. Have something you can do on a weekly basis; Read for 1 hr. three times a week, go for a 30min. walk three times a week, or eat out only two times a week. Have something you can do on a monthly basis; Enter a 5k or 10k race, go to every jiu-jitsu practice, or take someone out on a date.
     A challenge doesn't always have to be difficult. The important thing about a challenge is that you make a conscious effort to do something to improve yourself or the community around you. Having a challenge should motivate you to become better and do better. Living a life without challenge is like living the same day over and over again. You need to challenge yourself if you want to have a sense of accomplishment or victory at the end of the day!

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills, CA

"A challenge you take on and accomplish today, is no longer as challenging the next day!"

Word of the Month: ACTION!

                 ACTION! is the word of the month for April. Over the years I have realized that there are a several traits successful people have in common. One of these successful traits being ACTION! Action happens as a result of making a DECISION. Sometimes your decision is very conscious. For example, deciding to go for a run or deciding to stretch at the end of Jiu-Jitsu practice. Sometimes your decision is subconscious. For example, eating when you get hungry or you put shoes when you go outside. Many times our actions reflect decisions we have made over a period of time. As a result, our actions are not determined by daily decisions but out of habit or routine. Therefore, if you are determined to do something new, you must make a decision and allow you actions to reflect your decision. If the action does not follow, you really have not made a decision. 
                  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is all about ACTION! Initially, the action you create is very taxing and inefficient. The decisions you are making are either incorrect or you just don't have the time to make your move within the allotted amount of time. However, as you begin to feel comfortable in different positions and learn to move your body in different directions, you learn how to apply the forces and laws of nature to your advantage. You start to find efficiency with your action. Now you are able to make the correct decision with enough time for your action to be applied. At times Jiu Jitsu may be discouraging, tough, or hard, but allowing yourself to learn from your ACTION! will help you learn. Simply making the DECISION to keep moving will elevate your game! 
                  Sometimes we choose not to make a DECISION. As a consequence, we do nothing and our lack of ACTION! is simply a decision not to act.  If you want to create or make new ACTION! then you will have to make a conscious DECISION and allow your ACTIONS to follow..... Make good decisions, create positive actions, both on and off the mat! 

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Decide to practice Action Jiu-Jitsu!"