Hello Grasshoppa,
Every day, we make decisions—what to eat, where to spend our money, how to react in difficult situations. Some decisions are small, but others shape our future. In martial arts, making the wrong move can mean getting submitted or knocked out. In life and money, making the wrong choices can cost you years of progress. So how do you train your mind to make better decisions?
1. Slow Down – Not Every Decision Needs a Fast Answer
When someone grabs your collar in BJJ, the instinct is to panic. But the best grapplers stay calm, assess the situation, and execute a technical escape. The same applies to life. Many people make bad financial and personal decisions because they rush. Ever seen someone buy an expensive car on impulse, only to regret the monthly payments later? That’s a rushed decision. Instead, practice the pause technique. When faced with a big choice, take a step back. If it’s not urgent, give yourself at least 24 hours to think it over. Clarity comes with time.
2. Gather Intel – The More You Know, The Better You Move
No fighter steps into a match without studying their opponent. They watch fight footage, analyze weaknesses, and prepare counters. Yet, in life, people make decisions blindly. They invest in stocks they don’t understand, buy properties without research, or jump into relationships without knowing the person well. Before making a decision, ask yourself: Do I have enough information? Read, research, and seek advice from people who have already walked the path. Knowledge is a weapon—use it wisely.
3. Train Your Instincts – The Power of Repeated Exposure
Why do high-level fighters react so fast? It’s because they’ve drilled movements thousands of times. Their body knows what to do before their mind even thinks. Decision-making works the same way. The more you expose yourself to smart choices, the easier they become. Want to make better money decisions? Read about investing daily. Want to handle difficult people better? Learn negotiation skills and apply them in real life. Over time, these things become second nature.
4. Eliminate Emotion – Your Feelings Can Trick You
In a fight, if you get too emotional, you make mistakes. You rush in, leave openings, and get caught. In life, emotions also cloud judgment. People buy things they can’t afford because they feel like they deserve them. They stay in toxic relationships because they feel attached. The best decisions come from a balance of logic and emotion. When making a big choice, ask yourself: Am I doing this because it makes sense, or because I’m emotional? If emotions are high, wait until they settle before making your move.
5. Always Have a Plan B – Don’t Get Caught Without an Escape
In BJJ, you don’t just attack—you have backup options. If your opponent defends your armbar, you switch to a triangle choke. The same applies to life. If your career collapses, do you have another income stream? If your business fails, do you have a fallback plan? Smart decision-makers don’t just think about the best-case scenario—they prepare for the worst-case as well. Always have an exit strategy.
Conclusion:
Grasshoppa, decision-making is a skill that can be trained just like BJJ. Slow down, gather information, train your instincts, control emotions, and always have a backup plan. If you approach life with a black belt mindset, you’ll not only make better choices, you’ll create a life of stability, success, and freedom.
OSS!
