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Hey gang, I hope last month's topic on confidence was able to encourage you to want to achieve great things this year.

This month's topic is focus. Focus is such a significant life skill that without it you would constantly fall short of your goals.

Those who complain of disappointment don't always fall short because of a lack of ability or intellect. They actually fall short because they lost focus.

As much as we would like for this to happen success doesn't arrive over night it takes persistence to reach your goals. Individuals that go wrong usually lose sight of the reasons why they started.

Hardship and obstacles are just distractions that can, if you allow them, alter your focus.

For instance, the majority of us search for martial arts schools primarily for personal protection and life skills. Somehow along the journey the focus changes from personal protection (Life skills) to I just want a belt promotion (Hard Times).

No longer is your focal point to learn as much as you can about personal protection and life skills - it's now focused on just getting a belt from whoever will give it to you (Bad life skills).

If this mentality is tolerated it would jeopardize the integrity of earning a black belt which is a significant goal. So gang, whatever goals you choose to reach out for do not lose focus of them. Set your mind on your goals. Next month we will focus on another life skill as we explore the world of martial arts.

Sensei Shawn Harvey, 1st Degree Black Belt

Founder of the Bermuda Small Circle Jujitsu Academy

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