The last 10%
In both life and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the willingness to dig deeper often marks the line between success and failure. It’s easy to become fixated on techniques, strategies, or quick fixes that promise results, and while these can be important, sometimes what’s really missing is the ability to push through and find just a little more resolve. This is the true separator: the commitment to put in an extra ounce of effort, patience, or perseverance when it’s needed most. This small but powerful decision can be the difference between achieving a goal and falling short.
Nowhere is this felt more vividly in BJJ than in the struggle of a nearly completed sweep. You set up, execute, and feel yourself halfway there—almost, but not quite. In these moments, where success seems inches away, the temptation to let go, lose focus, or accept “almost” is strong. But often, that extra fraction of effort, an extra 10% of pressure, balance, or sheer determination, is the missing piece that converts the attempt into a triumph. Without it, you’re right back where you started, or sometimes in an even worse position.
Everyone in Jiu-Jitsu knows this feeling, and many of us chase after new techniques, hoping they’ll make things easier. While techniques are valuable, sometimes it’s about pushing through the plateau and committing to refine what we already know. BJJ, like life, doesn’t always offer shortcuts. Instead, it demands a deep commitment to effort, resilience, and finding strength in discomfort.
When you’re willing to dig deeper, to search for that extra 10%, you start developing a mindset that can handle challenges with fortitude. The grind becomes your training partner, and each roll becomes a lesson in mental toughness. Just as in life, the journey is long, and there will always be moments when pushing forward seems impossible. But it’s the willingness to find that reserve of energy and determination that shapes who we become both on and off the mats.