The Power of Attention

Last week, we had an important discussion with our Little Dragons about attention—specifically, that not all attention is good attention. It was a focused and determined class that day and every student came ready to give their best and take one step closer to Black Belt. It was a tough session, and their intensity reflected that, and there was no room for distraction as everyone was locked in.

As the class progressed, the energy kept building. I hesitated to interrupt because I didn’t want to break their momentum, but I also saw the perfect teaching moment. So, I took a chance. I called the students in for a huddle and asked them a simple but powerful question:

"When you hear your name in class, do you recognize whether it’s good or bad attention?"

We broke it down with examples:

"Hey Johnny, stay focused!" vs. "Hey Johnny, great kick!"

Right away, they understood. Hearing your name doesn’t always mean praise; sometimes, it’s a correction, or worse, it’s about your behaviour.  The key is to recognize the difference and strive for the kind of attention that pushes you forward.

After our discussion, the Dragons lined up again, and the class took off at full speed. Their focus was sharper, their energy higher, and their motivation even stronger. It became clear: positive attention is a powerful driver, and our Dragons were determined to earn it.

So next time your child hears their name in class, encourage them to pause and reflect—are they receiving attention for the right reasons? Because when they do, they’ll find themselves not just moving forward but soaring toward their goals.

And, lastly remember, "Attention is like a spotlight—shine it on the right actions, and it fuels growth; shine it on the wrong ones, and it reinforces bad habits."

Sensei Chris