I have been training since about July usually going 2 to 3 times a week. I am not he most athletic person in the world, but I am humble and try to listen and work on things. However at this point I feel like I am not getting it. I am constantly seeing guys come into the class and surpass me within a month or so, and this seems to happen with just about everyone knew that comes in. I don't have a problem with this, as I am glad when anyone improves, but it can be somewhat discouraging feeling like I am being left in the dust.
Only person you should be measuring your progress against is you. Other people may train more often, have athletic ability, previous experience etc - although its natural to think "damn, that guy started same time as me, I should be as good", think instead "could the me of today beat the me of last month?"
Focus on a small number of techniques and concentrate on just working those in sparring. It may even just be that you steadily work one tiny part of a particular technique - perhaps where you want your hands to be at a certain point - but that all contributes to eventually getting the technique right, and in turn means you're being constructive and have a clear goal to work towards.
I also find a technique-focused method of training helps with motivation, as its a useful way of ignoring ego: you're not thinking about 'winning' or 'losing', just making technical improvements. Totally meaningless if you get tapped along the way.
Following on from that, I'd also strongly recommend keeping a training log.
Personally, I've found doing so has been of massive benefit to my training: to copy what I wrote somewhere else, for a start it makes it easier to remember technique. The process of putting what you've just learned into words means you have to carefully think about exactly what you did in class. Even if your memory of it isn't that great, that will still mean you know specifically which parts you're unsure about, so can then ask your instructor next time you train.
That also helps with recollecting terminology, which I find can be a big problem in BJJ. Of course, that normally means you only learn the terminology used in your particular school, but still of benefit. Ideally, I'd like to be able to learn the most common terms used globally, as well as just in my school: it then becomes easier to search places like the net for hints and tips on specific techniques.
In addition to remembering technique, writing notes also means you can track your own progress, and identify what you feel you need to work on. As with writing up techniques, that then means you can concentrate on what went 'wrong', for want of a better word, asking your instructor and training partners how you could improve. So in effect, your notes become an action plan for the next sparring session.
Also, read
this fantastic thread, if you haven't already.
