Master the Art of Entrepreneurial Falling: Lessons I Learned From Judo!

When I was 12 years old, my parents signed me up for a class in Judo (with a swim afterwards) at our local YMCA.

They thought it would be good for Terry to learn how to defend himself and acquire some valuable skills.Mom and Dad were so right. (Once again)That was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

It taught me discipline, perseverance, honor, resilience, and a lot more.

#1 Judo Techniques And Entrepreneurial Wisdom

One of the first techniques you learn in Judo is how to fall.

Judo involves throwing your opponent. There are also choice goodies like choking, arm bars, and more misery-making techniques on opponents.

It hit me the other day when Gina and I were talking that it starts with learning how to fall.

You're going to fall -- a lot -- in Judo as you are thrown.

You need to learn falling -- which the Japanese call Ukemi. ('Ooo - kem - ee')

I got this explanation from my friends at Perplexity:

The Japanese word for falling that is used extensively in Judo is Ukemi. This term encompasses the techniques of falling safely, often referred to as breakfalls, which are essential for Judoka (Judo practitioners) to learn in order to minimize injury when being thrown or falling during practice or competition.

"Falling" can be a metaphor for the setbacks, putdowns, and slams we get as Entrepreneurs.

Learn how to fall and recover. Learn how to get back up.

One of my long-time instructors was a 3rd degree black belt from Tokyo, Japan, named Toyoji Matsumoto-san. He taught me a lot.

I remember he would tell us how to learn a new throw, choke, arm bar, or some other technique.

"You must do it 1,000 times till it becomes natural -- then do it another 1,000 times!"

Learn how to bounce back when (not if) you are turned down by a thousand people (seems like that at times).

Learn how to take the ugly, the bad, the deep disappointments, and make them the way to get better.

My buddy Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor of long ago, would tell us to make the obstacle the way to get ahead.

Ryan Holiday has an excellent book entitled, "The Obstacle Is The Way" where he deals with that extensively.

This works for you and me as we wind down 2024 and prepare for 2025.

Make those obstacles you encounter the way to teach you new skills, build your resilience, and become more of the ideal person you want to be.

My brother Willie Jolley tells us that "A setback is a setup for a comeback."

Wise words from Willie.

#6 Introducing Jumpstart 2025

One way you can do that is to get help learning how to "fall and get back up."

Gina and I are offering a special coaching opportunity that we have not offered before. It is where you can get an objective overview of what you're doing with Social Media and AI.

Then we'll give advice on what you're doing right so you can tweak it and make it even better.

We'll also offer recommendations on where you can improve.

We call it "Jumpstart 2025" and it is filling up fast.

We've priced it at a lower rate than we have ever offered to help more people get access right now.

We are near our limit of what we can handle this time, so now is the time to check it out and see if this end of year 2024 would be the right time for you.

AI is already huge (new features in ChatGPT, Perplexity stronger than ever, Repurposing is now a must-have, and more) and we're looking at the cutting edge developments that can help you.

We sort through all the clutter and overwhelm to give you a unique, carefully crafted set of plans you can begin implementing right away.

You'll get customized feedback tailored to you, new AI tools that are ideally suited to your needs, personal coaching on business skills, and focused help for you from a GA Tech engineer and Harvard MBA (Gina) and Hall of Fame Speaker and Cavett Award recipient, Me.

Keep practicing your own version of Entrepreneurial Ukemi. Learn how to fall and get back up quickly.

P.S. Don't let another year get by without checking into what you can do to make 2025 your best year. You know you need to strengthen what you're doing right and correct what should be adjusted. We'll work with you personally on Zoom to give you the edge you need. Embrace the right AI for you in a uniquely crafted way that builds in accountability (important!).