Extension and Retraction

I’m just three quarters of the way through the semester and I can’t wait for it to be finished. My time hasn’t been my own per se. Yes, I signed up for classes, yes I might have over extended myself and yes I realized this would cut into my jiujitsu time, but who among us actually realizes how over extended you’ll be until it’s time for the “extending'‘.

I won’t lie and say I haven’t enjoyed the challenge of learning something completely new and different, because I absolutely have. Programming is sort of like jiujitsu, you try something and it works or doesn’t. It might not work because it’s a completely dumb move and in reality, makes no sense, or it might not work because you aren’t as proficient in some of the simpler steps which built up to the technique making it beyond your skill level. Shit, it might even work up to a point, but once you’re into more complex programming or a more skilled jiujitsu player, the path you took doesn’t work at all. But with practice and effort, after a bit, it starts to click, and you see some slow progress.

The one thing programming is not, is physically challenging, and that has been another real issue for me. I’m still looking forward to next semester, and the chance to keep learning. More importantly however, I’m looking forward until my time is my own and I can get back on the mats. It has been nice, not being sore or injured. But as someone who played sports since elementary school and always lived an active lifestyle, not having the time to train, lift and run has got me antsy. I’ve noticed that my patience is shorter, I’m more on edge and am less focused then when active. My thought process for the future is to roll it back and only take one class next semester leaving me time for the things I enjoy.

Soon enough things will shake out, for now I’ll keep grinding. I’ve managed “B’s” in my classes and my plan is to keep busting my ass and finish with those same grades. I may finish or may never finish the degree, but at least I can say I put in the requisite effort and gained some valuable experience.

In Jiu-Jitsu, school, or your career, try to put yourself in a position to succeed, chances are you will with some effort. I’m gonna pull out a mantra of mine from a few years ago. At the time it applied mainly to jiu-jitsu, but now I can see it can also apply in other aspects of life. https://www.bjjdna.org/blog/2016/6/16/to-do-list