The Value of Side Quests
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The Value of Side Quests
My opinion is that you should never focus on any one thing, one hundred percent.
This goes for the professionals as well. People will argue, you’re not a high level competitor, what do you know?
Fair.
Here’s the thing, we are all a collections of passions and interests. None of us are one thing, nor should we be. We all have multiple interest and those interests require our attention.
Not just because they breath life into us as people. They don’t just make us more well rounded, they also make us better at Jiu-Jitsu.
We are not always going to be able to do this sport in the way that we currently doing them. The ability to develop other skills along the way will ultimately open up other doors that we’re not aware we may need to go through.
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Why Side Quests Matter
Side quests matter for the same reason I used to tell parents that putting their kids in other sports was a good thing. Complete focus on Jiu-Jitsu, probably isn’t the most healthy of actions and skill development isn’t limited to one sport.
It’s important to find other avenues to enrich our spirit.
Your side questions doesn’t have to be entirely separated of Jiu-Jitsu, it should flex a different muscle, though.
My most recent side quest was starting a podcast.
Yes, it’s related to Jiu-Jitsu obviously, but it flexes a different muscle for me. It allows me to build my ability to speak and gather my thoughts coherently in the moment.
That skill will obviously help me when I have to discuss topics during my meetings at work but it also allows me to speak better when I’m instructing on the mats. I have a tendency to get nervous and flub my words from time to time.
Permission To Suck
Side questions give you permission to suck, which allows for experimentation with something that you may have never done before. The act of putting yourself back into situations that test your confidence, are great ways to make yourself humble.
You can reacquaint yourself to what the new White Belts are experience, which will always be a great benefit to anyone who feels like they have mastered something in their life.
It also shows your students and teammates that its’ ok to start new at something even if you have zero skill in it. It gives them permission to do the same by following your lead.
Building Unexpected Strengths
As I mentioned previously, these side questions are going to be beneficial for you. They will build traits and skill sets that can usually be translated over to other endeavors.
For example, lets say you have an interest in web design or writing. These are both skill sets that can be easily translated over to your Jiu-Jitsu or even profession careers. They are skill sets that you can use to either better your own Jiu-Jitsu business or help the gym that you train out of.
I found that my podcast actually helped me gain confidence in public speaking, I don’t find myself as nervous as I once was.
Final Thoughts
Chase those side quests no matter how bad you might look early, that’s just the price of admission, just like the one you paid for when you started Jiu-Jitsu. Don’t be embarrassed, learn from those mistakes, and continue to move forward.
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Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching
Coach | Writer | Grappler
DFM Coaching is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!