I think the following quote can apply to just about anything you are trying to do.  Whether you are training MMA, self defense, or attaining a goal you have set out to do for yourself.  We have all gotten bloody lips and black eye but the most important thing is to get back in there an not letting that causing us to give up.

“You’ve got to be close enough to get hit and hurt in order to hit and hurt–that means an occasional split lip, bloody nose and black eye, as well as the infrequent knockdown or knockout during intense training.” –Kelly McCann

The-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Instruction-Manual-Striking

I have read this book and agree with all the points that Craig writes in his blog.  So, instead of writing my own blog post that says  basically the same think I will just defer to his post.  You can read the entire blog post here:  Book review of Anderson Silva’s Mixed Martial Arts Instruction Manual: Striking.