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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every Monday is personal development through Jiu Jitsu…

Recently, I tweaked my knee and was forced to take a small vacation from the mat. I always like to say that Jiu Jitsu tells you when it’s time to take a vacation. This was one of those times, as I strained my meniscus while training someone. I have not been forced to miss this much time in awhile, not since I tore the cartilage off of my rib right after I got my blue belt (I am a purple now). However, I definitely learned an important life lesson this week as I started to make my way back.

The Pecking Order of Life

In a Jiu Jitsu school, there is always a pecking order. It is constantly changing, but for the most part, everyone knows who taps who. It is not like there is one person who taps everyone (except the instructor). No, in Jiu Jitsu, it is all about match ups. I may do well against Person ‘A’. Person ‘A’ may do well against Person ‘B’, but Person ‘B’ may tap me. That is just how it goes.

The pecking order is not really important. It is just there for motivation. If I know there is someone who gets the best of me, I try to roll with them as much as possible to figure out why that is. In my school, though, I have been lucky enough to be near the top of the order, simply cause I was one of the first students. Since then, I have consistently trained, and therefore, anyone newer has less experience. However, that can all change relatively quickly.

Right before I got injured, I had been training a lot lighter than usual. I have been working my but off to promote my business, and I have a major project that needed my full attention. So, basically, for the last month and a half, I have not really been putting my best effort forth at Jiu Jitsu.

Making A Comeback

The other day, excited as can be, I decided to give my knee a try and go back. Luckily, everything went pretty well. While it bothered me a little, it was definitely no big deal. In fact, my knee was the least of my problems. My biggest challenge was keeping up with all the students who had been training consistently since I was gone. Sure, my wind was a bit off, and I was rusty, but all of a sudden, half of the students I used to walk through were giving me problems. Their guards were better, their movements were crisp, and their reactions were a step ahead of mine. Suddenly, I was not so sure where I stood in the pecking order.

Since my return (a week), I have trained a few more times and things are slowly returning to the way they were. However, what a shock it was for me at first. I never figured the time off could set me back as much as it did. What I failed to consider, was that while I was resting, other people were training. They were working to get better, while I was staying stagnant, or even falling back slightly.

The fact is my competition did not take a break, I did. Now I am going to have to work twice as hard to get back.

Jiu Jitsu = Life

My Jiu Jitsu school is like a very small sample of life in general. In life, and especially in business, if I take a break, I must realize that my competition will continue to work. Just because I was at a certain level when I stopped, does not mean I will automatically take back that level. While I am sleeping, resting, vacationing, dilly dallying or whatever, someone out there is working to get better than me at my bread & butter. Just like my Jiu Jitsu school, when I return, it is going to be twice as hard to get back to where I was.

This is not to say, don’t ever take a break. Rest is very important, especially if you are injured. But in the business world, there is no rest. We all need to sleep and take breaks, but we must realize the effort we are putting forth. See, my issue was not the injury. My issue was the slacking off I did before the injury. I was barely putting forth a solid effort and then I was forced to stop completely. Couple those together, and all of a sudden I fell almost two months behind.

Being on Top is Not Permanent

We all can get complacent when things are going well. When you are riding high on the ocean of life, it can be very hard to see when the wave is going to break. Then, out of nowhere, everything can come crashing back to earth. It forces you to get back on the surfboard and start paddling again as you watch your competition surf on by.

This post is a reminder to continue working hard, even if you are doing well. Just because you are at the top of the game, does not mean it is a permanent position. It is important to remember the work ethic that got you to that point because it will take the same the work ethic, if not more, to keep you there.

Think of it this way: The position you are in is bound to change naturally, because it is out of your control what others do. So, if that is the case, then you can either work to consistently adjust to the competition, or get comfortable in your spot and watch everyone else pass you by. With that in mind, I have come up with…

5 Tips to Fight Off Complacency

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1. Set New Loftier Goals

Sometimes, to re-energize ourselves, we need to set new goals. When I first started Jiu Jitsu, I never imagined I would get my purple belt. It just seemed so far away. Now that I have achieved that, it is time to focus on getting a black belt, something that never even seemed possible before. Setting this new goal will give me the energy to continue to train hard.

2. Find Someone Who Is Better

If your competition is not providing the challenge you need, find someone who does. Whatever your field, search high & low for a competitor worthy of your level. Remember, you only get to the top by beating the best. It is your job to continue to seek out those who are better.

3. If No One is Better, Create Your Competition

In Jiu Jitsu, this is kind of unrealistic. However, in life, sometimes we are the best at what we do. The best way to fight off complacency when you are on top is to create a better person. Challenge yourself by creating the perfect competition. What makes them better? How can you be more like them?

4. Take A Mentor Role

Sometimes, when we have reached our goals, we can find motivation in helping others reach theirs. I believe the best way to consistently improve yourself is to teach others what you know.Find someone who wants to be where you are, and help them get to that position. Indirectly, you will watch yourself grow as a result.

5. Raise the Stakes

When I roll with a person in Jiu Jitsu that I know I can beat, I tend to raise the stakes. What I mean, is I will let the person get me in a very bad position. I will allow them to get the right position in order to tap me. It is then that I will start to roll for real. This helps me prepare for when I am really put in that position. The preparation of getting out of bad spots allows me to get the most out of training with a person not on my level.

Help us grow with a Comment

What tips can you add to this list to fight off complacency….

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