When someone other than the instructor is sharing technique or theory with you, do you listen? Are you in awe of his… blue belt?

It’s great when people share. After all, you shouldn’t try to keep “secret techniques” if your goal is to get better. By telling everyone how to beat you, you get better because you have to. The perfect example of this is Gordon Ryan. In his instructional videos, he tells you exactly what he’s doing, and he’s still making it look easy.

When you’re a beginner, you don’t always know who’s worth listening to.

A good question to ask yourself about the “teacher” is this:

“Is he trying to help me, or impress me?”