Reflections on a Year Lived: Navigating 2026 with Intention

As we stand at the threshold of 2026, it is natural to look forward. However, to move forward with clarity, we must first look back with honesty. Life is finite, yet we often live as though we have an infinite supply of "tomorrows."

The Dalai Lama once noted that man often "lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived." To ensure we are truly living—not just existing—I invite our students and parents to join me in a purposeful review of 2025.

I encourage you to find a quiet space, take a pen to paper, and deeply analyse these seven questions. Writing them down moves these thoughts from the "noise" of our minds into the "reality" of our lives.

The 7 Questions for Reflection and Refinement

1. What achievements are you most proud of in 2025?

2. What people or activities added the most energy to your life this year?

3. What did you outgrow in 2025?

4. What risks did you take and where are you holding yourself back?

5. What did your best days this year have in common, and how can you create more of them?

6. What got too much of your attention this year and what didn’t get enough?

7. What one goal would create the biggest ripple in your life for 2026?

Commitment to the Craft: The Path to Black Belt

As we reflect, we must also look at our commitment to our training. The journey to Black Belt is long, arduous, and demands a level of dedication that most never attempt. We know that mastery of the body and mind does not happen by accident; it is the result of focused, consistent effort.

To see improved results in 2026, I challenge our students to consider their training volume. Are you putting in the hours required to meet the standard of a Black Belt? By increasing your time on the mats and intensifying your focus, you are not just improving techniques, you are learning to master yourself. It is only through this additional effort that we can bridge the gap between where we are and the excellence we seek.

Bringing it All Together

When we look at our answers to these questions collectively, a pattern usually emerges. We begin to see a clear divide between the things that drain our finite time and the things that fulfill our purpose.

Reviewing the past year isn't about dwelling on mistakes; it is about gathering the wisdom necessary to refine our path. Whether it is a "micro-change" in your daily habits or a major commitment to increasing your training intensity, these choices eliminate regret.

In 2026, let us strive to be more present than anxious, and more intentional than busy. By choosing where we place our attention today, we ensure that when we look back a year from now, we do so with a heart full of peace rather than a list of "what ifs."

A life lived with purpose and intention can never be regretted.

Oss Andy McKechnie Dojo Head TSKF Five Dock