1. Become CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)

This is a continuation goal from last year. I have one more test to take (TSHOOT exam), before I can get certified. I past the ROUTE exam last month, and I'm taking the TSHOOT exam this Thursday, before the current exam expires.

2. Become a BJJ World Champion

This year, I plan on competing at the IBJJF Masters Worlds, IBJJF NoGi Worlds, and the SJJIF Worlds. I no longer have my mats and grappling dummy. Also, I'll be training less this. Another baby is on the way and my responsibilities at work has increased.

Based on what happened last year, I know that if I trained at least twice a week on the mats and twice a week on the weight room, that I'll still be able to progress in way to be able to compete. Injuries played a huge role last year, so I had to find ways to train and compete around them. Since, I'm training less, I should recover well from all the various forms of training.

3. Become a BJJ Purple Belt

This is totally based on my instructor grading me on this. I’m up to four stripes now, so I’m really close. At this point, I just have to stay committed and be consistent. I will need to show up to class at least 2-3 times a week to show commitment and consistency.

I added some more go to submissions last year, along with adding some more passes and sweeps.

4. Write An Article Once A Month

I think it’s important for me to share knowledge and I would like to branch out my website by doing this. Last year, I was able to write at least one article, so at least I got something in.

5. Take Videos of My Training and/or Competition Once A Month

I would like to see myself in training and competition to see exactly what I’m doing right and wrong. It doesn't hurt to get some criticism from others, if anyone has something to say about my technique. I got one video in last year, and I think I can do way better than that this year.

Conclusion:

I cut the goals in half this year. Last year, I my commute went from 1 hour a day to 3 - 4 hours a day. That affected me the most for training, since I was raising a newborn, studying for certification exams, and doing more projects for work.

This year doesn't get any easier. I will have another baby on the way, I'm still studying for these certification exams, and I'm doing more difficult projects this year. Based on last year, I have developed a template on how to train around these situations. I'm pretty focused on all these tasks, and my results last year were pretty good, since I won 1st place at the Brea Jiu Jitsu In House Tournament, Copa Pacifica, SIJJF Worlds, and NABJJF Nationals.

I'm lucky to have the support group that I have. The major thing that I learned last year was about making all these small adjustments to make small improvements. All the small improvements added up to being big results.

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1. Become CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)

I completed 2 of 3 tests that are required to be certified for this exam. I will rolling over this goal for this year and complete the last test this month.

2. Become a BJJ World Champion

Well, I didn't compete at any of the IBJJF Worlds, but I did compete at the SJJIF Worlds and won at the Blue Belt Masters Gi Ultraheavyweight division.

3. Become a BJJ Purple Belt

I switched schools mid year and I received my 4th stripe last month. I'm almost there.

4. Become a Powerlifting World Champion

I couldn't compete last year, due to my knee injuries, so I'll have to wait a while, since my goals this year will be for work and for Jiu Jitsu.

5. Drop to 275lbs

Since I didn't compete in Powerlifting, I gave up on this goal, since I'm in a weight division in Jiu Jitsu that is over 221lbs and unlimited.

6. Break a World Record in Powerlifting

I was injured last year, so I didn't even get to compete at any powerlifting meet.

7. Improve Upon My Takedowns

Due to my injuries, I sticked to pulling guard for all of the tournaments last year. I did work on takedowns when I could, but implementing them did hurt my injuries when I tried, so I laid off of them during tournament time.

8. Write An Article Once A Month

I wrote a couple of articles last year, but I was so focused on work and on my newborn. It was tougher to do than expected, since I was also studying for these certification exams.

9. Take Videos of My Training and/or Competition Once A Month

My training partners and I took a couple of videos last year on my training and competition. I just wasn't as consistent as I would like it to be. I will roll over this goal for this year.

10. Host One Charity Event Within The Year

This was a no go for me last year, since my plate was full with moving, having a new born, etc. I did help out in raising funds in other charity events, so I feel good about that. I would like to host one this year, if everything goes according to plan.

Conclusion


Last year was pretty rough and challenging, since I moved, raised a new born, and will have another kid soon. Also, I worked on more projects at work than ever before. For training, I had to switch clubs and get accustomed to training less than I was used to, since my commute is longer and my responsibilities at home have increased as well.

Regardless of these situations, I tried to adjust, make the best of it, and learned from these experiences. One thing for sure is that I'll have less major goals this year and I have a more realistic idea on what I can accomplish. I think the most frustrating part about last year was the injuries. I'm hoping to resolve them within the next couple of months, so I can prepare for the 2015 IBJJF Pans Tournament.