Developing a skill takes dedication and practice, and the more effort you put in, the faster you'll see improvement! For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students in Bolton and Caledon, it can sometimes be challenging to find the motivation to practice outside of the dojo, especially after a long day.

Here are three simple strategies to help your child stay motivated with their Jiu-Jitsu practice at home. These steps will also encourage them to feel ownership of their practice time, making it feel like it was their choice!

Step 1: Ask About the ONE Thing They Want Most from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Start by asking your child to think about their top goal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You might get responses like “to have fun,” “to get better,” “to earn my stripe,” or maybe even “I don’t know.” The key here is to ask specifically for the ONE thing they want to ACHIEVE. Using “ONE” and “ACHIEVE” helps them focus:

• “ONE” prompts them to prioritize and choose what matters most to them.
• “ACHIEVE” helps them think about a tangible goal or milestone, like earning their next stripe or mastering a specific technique.

This approach helps them establish a focused goal that can motivate them in their BJJ journey.

Step 2: Ask How They’ll Feel When They Reach Their Goal

This step is all about connecting emotionally to the goal. We know they want to improve in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but getting them to describe how they’ll feel when they achieve their goal—like feeling accomplished, proud, or happy—adds an emotional layer to their motivation. When kids think about the feelings tied to their goals, it can activate “feel-good” chemicals in their brain, helping to reinforce their motivation to keep going.

Step 3: Ask Them What ONE Thing They Can Do Right Now to Get Closer to Their Goal

This is the action step! Ask your child what one thing they could do right now to help them move closer to their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu goal. It could be a small task or something more significant, like practicing a technique or visualizing a move. For younger kids, you may need to guide them or offer some ideas. By adding a sense of immediacy with “RIGHT NOW,” you’re helping them build momentum and take immediate action, whether it’s practicing a guard pass, refining their balance, or drilling a specific movement.

Give these steps a try and see how they work! These tips aren’t only helpful for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—they can be used for other tasks, like school assignments or chores.

We’d love to hear how these strategies work for you and your child. Let us know how the conversation goes!

Best of luck,

Professor Jason