Often times in BJJ we get to the point where we start daydreaming of the day when we can train all day and become world class. Then the kid wakes up from his nap, your paper for that English class you're taking needs to be edited, the wife wants you to get dinner started, and your boss just paged you because Philip called in sick. Life just slapped you in the face.
This is the biggest reason why you should keep reasonable goals in BJJ and never compare yourself to others. Not only do we all operate at a different speed mentally/intellectually/physically, we all have different responsibilities that certainly have priority over jiu-jitsu. If you train once a day because you have to work a job, and take care of your family, why on Earth are you comparing yourself to someone who trains full-time and does BJJ professionally?? That's right, professionally! If you can't train 2-3x a day, then you should not compare your skill set to someone who does. If you have been training 2 yrs, and someone has been training 10 (and is a World Champion because of it), you shouldn't compare yourself to them.
I have seen countless people mope around thinking they suck because they are comparing themselves to professional athletes. Maybe its because jiu-jitsu isn't commercially popular, or on national television every Sunday that the average Joe Hobbyist (twice a week guy) thinks he can compare himself to Marcelo Garcia. Make it easy on yourself, train to learn and enjoy the art. If you have to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to the other balding 30-something guy with 3 kids.
Thanks for reading,
Jei
