I was reminded this week by a training partner to remember to have fun with my training and competition.  Whether it's Muay Thai or Brazilian jiu-jitsu,  the pressure to perform as well as the high expectations you set for yourself can really take away the enjoyment in training and competition. 

Do you want to continue your sport for the long haul? Into your 40s, 50s, 60s?  It sounds cliche but if you do, you must learn to EMBRACE THE JOURNEY.  And the journey will be full of highs and lows, wins and losses; the journey can be an emotional rollercoaster ride at times! There will be days you don’t want to go to the gym, and days where you do go only to leave feeling discouraged and frustrated with your progress or lack thereof. The trick is to understand that these feelings are normal and are all part of the process.  We all go through it so learn to sit with the uncomfortable. 

Don’t fight it!  

As a general rule for myself, I try not to let my successes or failures get to my head.  Does that mean I don’t feel happy when I win, or sad when I lose?  Of course not.  I feel all of those emotions.  I just try to put them into perspective by turning my attention to my long term goals.  If you focus on your long term goals; 5,10,15 and even 20 years down the road, then these little milestones, good or bad, will easily be accepted for what they are...just small stepping stones of a larger, and more purposeful journey.

And it’s all about the journey.