Excuses: The Enemy of Progress in Jiu Jitsu and Life

If you’ve been around Jiu Jitsu long enough, you know that making progress on the mats is tough. It’s a constant grind, mentally and physically. And if you’re honest, you’ll recognize one thing that can really hold you back: excuses. Whether it’s skipping class because you’re “too tired” or avoiding hard rolls because “you’re not ready,” excuses are everywhere.

Excuses might sound good in your head, but when it comes down to it, they’re nothing but lies we tell ourselves. They make us feel better in the moment, but they steal our progress in the long run. On the mats, there’s no hiding – Jiu Jitsu is the most honest thing you can do. The mats don’t care about your excuses. They reveal exactly where you’re at, both physically and mentally. If you’re making excuses, they’ll show up. The mats don’t lie, and neither do your results.

Excuses come from a place of avoiding discomfort. Let’s be real – Jiu Jitsu is hard, and life is too. When we face something that feels tough or challenges us, the easy way out is to make an excuse. “I’ll go tomorrow.” “I’m too tired today.” “I have too much going on.” Sound familiar? These are all ways we lie to ourselves to avoid the hard work we know we should be doing.

At the core, excuses are a way of running from the truth. The truth is, improvement takes sacrifice, and that means putting in the effort even when you don’t feel like it. If you’re constantly making excuses, you’re only delaying your own progress. Every time you make an excuse, you’re choosing comfort over growth. And the thing about Jiu Jitsu is, growth only happens when you’re uncomfortable.

Let’s get specific with some of the most common excuses you hear in Jiu Jitsu. These might sound familiar – maybe you’ve even used a few of them yourself.

• “I’m too tired.” – The classic. Training when you’re tired isn’t fun, but guess what? Everyone’s tired sometimes. Pushing through that tiredness is what builds resilience.
• “I don’t have time.” – We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. If something’s important to you, you’ll make time for it. When you say you don’t have time, you’re really saying it’s not a priority.
• “I’m not good enough to train with them.” – Avoiding tough rolls only keeps you at the same level. Every time you step on the mat with someone better than you, you’re giving yourself a chance to learn.
• “I’m sore; I’ll train when I feel better.”– Soreness is part of training. Learning to work through it is key. If you wait for the “perfect” moment to train, it’ll never come.

These excuses all have one thing in common: they give you a way out. But here’s the thing – every time you take that way out, you’re robbing yourself of an opportunity to grow.

Here’s what makes Jiu Jitsu special: the mats are brutally honest. When you’re rolling, you can’t hide behind an excuse. There’s no place for “I’m tired” or “I don’t feel like it.” The mats reveal exactly what you’ve been putting in, and they give you an honest reflection of where you are.

Think about it – when you’re in the middle of a roll, facing someone stronger or more skilled, you don’t have time for excuses. You’re either prepared, or you’re not. If you’ve been making excuses and skipping the hard work, it’ll show up. If you’ve been putting in the work, that’ll show too. The mats don’t lie. They tell you the truth, whether you like it or not.

Excuses are just empty words, but Jiu Jitsu is all about action. You can’t talk your way into being good at Jiu Jitsu. You have to earn it through hard work, dedication, and showing up. That’s why training on the mats is one of the most honest things you can do – it forces you to confront where you’re really at.

Just like on the mats, excuses will hold you back in every area of life. When you get into the habit of making excuses, it becomes a cycle. Maybe it starts with avoiding something uncomfortable, but soon it’s affecting your work, your relationships, and your personal goals. Every excuse is a small act of giving up.

Here’s the truth: the world doesn’t care about your excuses. Your boss, your family, your friends – they only see your actions, not your reasons. When you keep making excuses, you’re only letting yourself down. The people around you don’t care why you didn’t do something; they only care whether you did it or not.

If you want success, in Jiu Jitsu or anything else, you have to be honest with yourself. Stop lying with excuses and start taking action. Just like on the mats, there’s no shortcut to improvement in life. It takes showing up, putting in the work, and facing challenges head-on.

This might sound harsh, but it’s the truth – no one cares about your excuses. Think about it: if you’re constantly explaining why you can’t train or why you’re not progressing, who is that for? Your coach, your teammates, your boss – they’re not the ones who suffer from your excuses. You are.

Excuses only affect the person making them. The rest of the world keeps moving, whether you step up or not. When you make excuses, you’re the one paying the price. So stop wasting time on reasons why you can’t and start finding ways that you can.

Remember, excuses are a form of weakness. They’re a way of avoiding responsibility. But taking responsibility – owning up to where you’re at and working to get better – that’s real strength.

So, how do you break free from excuses? Here are some practical steps to get started:

Recognize When You’re Making an Excuse

The first step is to catch yourself in the act. Whenever you hear yourself saying, “I can’t because…” stop and question it. Are you making an excuse to avoid discomfort, or is there a real reason behind it?

Change Your Mindset

Shift from a mindset of “I can’t” to “How can I?” Instead of giving up, start finding solutions. If something’s hard, figure out how to make it work instead of just backing down.

Embrace Discomfort

One of the best lessons you’ll learn in Jiu Jitsu is to get comfortable with discomfort. Embrace the tough moments, the soreness, the exhaustion. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone, and excuses keep you inside it.

Set Clear Goals and Stay Accountable

Write down what you want to achieve and make yourself accountable. Share your goals with a coach, teammate, or friend who will keep you in check. Accountability helps you stay focused and minimizes the temptation to make excuses.

Staying consistent in Jiu Jitsu requires a strong support system and routine. Here are a few tips to keep excuses at bay:

• Stick to a Schedule: Set a consistent training schedule that fits your life. Knowing when you’re supposed to train reduces the chance of making excuses.
• Find a Training Buddy: Having someone to train with keeps you accountable. It’s harder to skip class when someone else is expecting you.
• Visualize Your Goals: Picture yourself achieving your goals. Whether it’s getting a belt promotion or hitting a new technique, visualize where you want to be. It makes it easier to stay motivated.

At the end of the day, your progress in Jiu Jitsu and in life is up to you. Excuses are easy, but they don’t get you anywhere. The mats are honest – they show the truth of your effort, your dedication, and your discipline. If you want to be better, if you want to succeed, it’s time to cut the excuses and get to work.

The only person who suffers from your excuses is you. The mats don’t care about your reasons, and neither does life. So take control, stay committed, and keep pushing forward. There’s no substitute for hard work, and there’s no limit to what you can achieve if you refuse to let excuses stand in your way.