Mastery and the 1%

So begins my entry into the blogosphere.

Since I've been training BJJ, I've been reading blogs to help add a word, thought or bit of expression to my learning curve.

So now, with 4 scary stripes on my brown belt, I begin to make my own contribution to the learning curve of anyone who finds me.

Which brings me to the title of the post. I certainly don't mean to say that I've attained Mastery of BJJ, or anything for that matter, and I don't intend to make blog posts from the high hill of a guru.

Mastery is a book by a gentleman named George Leonard, and it's an excellent read. The basic gist of the book is that the path of mastery of any skill is that of practice. That mastery isn't about goals, trophys or achievements, but rather the everyday commitment to the plateau.

One of my teachers, Prof. Shah Franco said once that everyday you get on the mat, strive to be 1% better. This gives you the perspective that even if you've had a crap day, and everyone ran circles around you, if you've improved just 1%, you've met your goal.

As I approach my black belt I'm realizing that all the coloured belts are basically "pre-beginner" belts, and that the black is simply the last "beginner" belt. Or rather the first belt, where the real learning begins, now that the rules are finally ingrained.

So this is a blog about my 1%s. My everyday revelations, light bulbs and inspirations.

Hope you enjoy it.  Thanks for reading.