How much time does it take to reach your training goals?

I just read this from Scott Sonnen's Facebook.

When asked by a young man to certify him because "there's nothing you do that I havent already learned, so you should certify me to teach", Sonnen, a Sambo black belt said this:

"My teacher in Russia told me it takes about 10 years to master the basics. Twice as long if you're in a hurry. Twice more if you already feel you know the material. Eyes on the road. Focus on the next step. You can't shortcut the journey but you can certainly make it MUCH longer."

When you get discouraged, and/or feel like you know it all and you are getting so much better now and you feel that you are well on your way to a world championship, just remember that quote. BJJ, just like any other learned skill is parishable. You need to constantly be working JUST TO MAINTAIN your skills, and then keep trying to find incremental improvements in your game to keep evolving.