The Reset Principle - Knowing When to Start Over in Life

In Jiu-Jitsu, the Reset Principle is about recognizing when a roll’s gone off the rails and hitting the restart button. Maybe you’re gassed, stuck in a bad spot, or just need a fresh start—resetting isn’t quitting; it’s strategic. You shake hands, slap palms, and begin again with new focus.

What if we applied this to life—knowing when it’s okay to start over in a business, training, or relationship?

Jiu-Jitsu and the Reset: Fresh Starts Fuel Growth

On the mat, refusing to reset when you’re beat only leads to frustration or injury. A good practitioner knows there’s strength in pausing, reassessing, and rolling again. The Reset Principle isn’t failure—it’s a chance to refine your game and come back sharper.

Life’s Resets: Embracing New Beginnings

Sometimes, life hands you a bad position—a failing business, a stalled training journey, or a broken relationship. Clinging to what’s not working is like fighting a losing battle on the mat. Scripture backs this up: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God’s all about resets—new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

When to Reset:

• The Business is Sinking – If it’s draining your soul or resources with no fruit, it might be time to pivot.

• Training’s Stale – Plateaued in Jiu-Jitsu or survival skills? Restart with a new approach or mentor.

• Relationships Are Dead-Ends – If it’s toxic or unfixable, step away and rebuild with God’s guidance.

  
  

Survival and Starting Over: Adapting to Thrive

In the wild, a collapsed shelter or a flooded camp doesn’t mean game over—it means reset. You find a new spot, rebuild, and learn from the washout. Life’s the same: starting over builds resilience, not regret, when you lean on God’s strength.

Applying the Reset Principle

1. Assess the Position – Is this worth fighting for, or is it time to let go?

2. Trust the Restart – Like a fresh roll, embrace the chance to grow from scratch.

3. Lean on Faith – God’s grace turns resets into redemption, not ruin.

4. Move Forward – Don’t dwell on the old—focus on the new path ahead.

Jesus reset the world with His resurrection. If He can start over after the cross, you can too. A reset isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something stronger.

Life Application Questions:

1. What in my life—business, training, or relationships—feels stuck or broken?

2. Am I resisting a reset out of fear or pride?

3. How has God shown me new beginnings in the past?

4. What would starting over look like with Christ as my foundation?

5. Do I trust that a reset could lead me closer to His purpose for me?