Do You Have A Fixed Mindset, Or A Growth Mindset?

Do you know the difference?  

Before getting into how this impacts our Jiu Jitsu, let’s define the two types of mindsets and provide some clarity.  

A fixed mindset is a mindset in which you are limiting yourself from evolving.  Typically this type of mindset would be someone who sees other people's success and is envious, possibly even resents the super successful people in their lives.  A person with a fixed mindset will say things like “must be nice” to those that have worked so hard to achieve their goals and build success. Essentially a person with a fixed mindset is someone who does not have the belief, or the work ethic to chase their dreams, set goals, or chase the life they desire with passion. As you can imagine, this type of mindset is very limiting, not only in Jiu Jitsu, but in life. 

 Pave Your Path With The Correct Mindset, and Attitude! Click Learn More below. 

LEARN MORE

A growth mindset on the other hand is quite the opposite from the fixed mindset.  A person growth mindset could often be seen spending time with people that are doing the things he wants to be doing. Asking  questions, and analyzing how to get to where they want to be. A growth mindset is the mindset of “how can I achieve … (insert goal here).  Growth mindset people are often very hard working dedicated people that rarely if ever take a break from working towards their goals. A growth mindset person could be heard congratulating others on their success rather than being jealous or resenting that person.  They could also be seen thinking, “if XYZ person can achieve this goal, then so can I with the right plan”.

“I can have everything in life that I want, as long as I’m willing to work for it” – Growth Mindset 

When we look at these mindsets in the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle, these mindsets can be seen in every day training, whether it be in training, or in competition, these mindsets can make all of the difference.  

Tom DeBlass talks in his video clip “BJJ Tips – Developing Growth Mindset” about coming up through the ranks and being told by other instructors where he trained things like “We could never do what Ricardo has done”.  Because of Tom’s mindset he was able to ignore, and even push back on this fixed mindset statement and argue that he not only could do what his Professor has done, but he could do more.  Tom speaks on how some people may feel this type of thought process or mindset is disrespectful, and why it is not, in all reality disrespectful at all.  

There is only one reason you don’t deserve to have the success someone else has, and that’s that you didn’t do the work.  If you are putting in hours and hours of work, constantly working toward your goal, then why don’t you deserve to have the success that should go along with the work you have done.  I would go on to argue that not only is not disrespectful to set goals that are as big, or bigger than your role models and or leadership, but it’s your duty. It’s actually a sign of respect.  Your success IS their success, the more successful you are, the more successful they are. This concept is the same on the mats, or off the mats.  

Take a manager in business for example.  We have likely all had a boss at some point that was very reserved in sharing information and always needed to make sure he or she looked good to their boss, but often times by passing the blame down to the employees ultimately trying to hinder the growth of his or her employees as to not threaten their position as a leader.  This is a fixed mindset. The mindset of fear in this case. A growth mindset manager is trying to groom their employees to take over their responsibilities so that they can continue to grow in their own career as well.  

Some people will be more talented than you in certain areas.  You may need to work harder than others, but remember – Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

There are going to be obstacles along the way.  It is easy in a fixed mindset to allow these to be excuses.  Thinking that we can only do the things we know we need to do, only if everything around us is exactly as we had anticipated it being and there are no hiccups along the way to throw us off.  Whereas a growth mindset person will take a different approach of writing down the goals for the day or the week and work to accomplish those small goals that get them one step closer to the bigger goal, regardless of what roadblocks are presented.  

It’s important to have goals.  It’s important to have people we look up to, both on the mats and off.  It’s great to have people that you admire. These people should be for inspiration, not comparison.  Never limit yourself by setting your goals in line with someone else’s achievements, you may be able to do more, better, faster…

Professor DeBlass Is Here To Help Get Your Mind Right! Click Learn More below!

LEARN MORE

The character you are building on the mats with your hard work and dedication carries over into whatever you do in your day to day.  You can be the best in your chosen field, not because you want to beat others, but because you have built the discipline on the mats to persevere and push yourself to YOUR limits, not capped by someone else’s perception of your limits, or limits created by your fixed mindset.

This is just a short video excerpt from Tom DeBlass’s newest video instructional “The Road to Black Belt and Beyond”.  This instructional is unlike anything else out there in the marketplace because unlike traditional instructionals that focus on techniques and body movements, this focuses on your mindset, your approach to Jiu Jitsu, and ultimately, your approach to life in general.  Whether you are a new white belt, an experienced black belt, or maybe don’t even train Jiu Jitsu at all, the concepts outlined in this video instructional can be applied on and off the mat, in your personal life, your professional life, any and all aspects of your life.  At the end of the day it comes down to having the right mindset, and the work ethic and discipline to drive and steer the ship. With these things in check, there is no limit to the things you can achieve, on of off the mats. 

Professor Tom DeBlass is here to share his wisdom and to set you forth with the information to improve you BJJ, and your life. His DVD "The Road To Black Belt and Beyond" can help with  injuries, competing, relationships, and MUCH MORE. Check it out here!

BUY NOW