Just focus on your progress.

That’s it!

Instead of focusing on the fact that you “can’t keep up with others,” you should only focus on your progress. If the others have gotten the 12 angles of attack down immediately and you don’t, DON’T WORRY!  Practice the angles until you get them in proper order and with good footwork.

You need only to focus on yourself and nobody else.

Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Just focus on your progress.

Don’t look at how well someone else is doing in class. Focus on the process, one step at a time on the way to your goal. Don’t lose sight of the fact that you are focusing on YOU instead of someone else. It’s okay to compare but don’t let the comparisons discourage you or kill you.

If someone else is racing ahead of you through the ranks, that person is the least of your concerns. Just focus on one step at a time. A good instructor will recognize your efforts, push you, and reward you for your efforts.

If someone reaches a goal before you do, DON’T WORRY!

Jealousy, anger, and envy will do you no good as this will distract YOU from YOUR goals.

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A philosopher named Epictetus taught that everything apart from one’s will was beyond one’s control. Central to this philosophy was the belief that the events and behaviours of others are beyond one’s control and that the only thing under your control was your response to those events.

In other words, why waste energy on things beyond your control? Focus on the things under your control, such as your choices and your responses to events. Your progress should be your primary aim.

So if you find yourself saying that you can’t keep up with others, remind yourself to focus on your progress rather than somebody else’s.

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