How to realistically get unstuck and speak English fluently
It is simple, but not effortless.
Everybody can do it. Few actually do it.
Are you one of the few?
If you feel stuck you don't need more grammar, more vocabulary, more strategies. On the path towards fluency, what really makes a difference has little to do with language knowledge.
It has to do with discipline.
It has to do with building tolerance to discomfort.
It has to do with breaking bad habits and building good ones.
Knowing is not enough.
I’ve experienced it first-hand every time I’ve learnt a new skill, including the 4 foreign languages I speak. And my 17 years’ daily work with professionals from all walks of life proved it to me too.
We all want to speak English fluently. But wanting is not enough.
We all know what to do. But knowing is not enough.
Some of us do it. Daily.
Decide once, train daily.
Set a minimum daily training target and never revisit your decision: 5-10-15 minutes a day. That’s all it takes to build consistency.
You're busy. Do your minimum anyway.
You're not in the mood. Do your minimum anyway.
You feel uncomfortable while training. Don’t let your thoughts and excuses “Oh, this is difficult”, “I am not good enough” , “I don’t have time”, “I’m too tired”
get in your way. Just do it.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency.
In a few months you will start noticing progress. In your confidence. In your language knowledge. In the clarity of your communication.
Progress is the result of consistent daily practice.
But where do I find the motivation to stay consistent in the long-term? - you ask.
You don’t find your motivation, because it’s not out there.
You ignite your internal motivation. Through your own progress.
Here’s how it works.
Stage 1: short-term fuel
At the beginning, what gets you started is either enthusiasm or an external reason: you need English for work, for travel, or because all of your friends and colleagues speak it and you still don’t. All of these motivations are your short-term fuel. But short-term fuel can only get you so far, but not too far. It can’t get you to fluency.
Stage 2: crossroads
When you start running low on short-term fuel, that’s when deciding not to give up and stick to your daily routine is crucial. You need to keep training for 5-10-15 minutes a day. No matter what.
Stage 3: going up
As a result of your consistent daily training, after a short while you will start seeing progress: your speaking will be more fluent and accurate,
you will feel more relaxed and more comfortable when interacting in English. And others will start noticing it too. And that feels good.
Nothing feels better than becoming better at something.
So, it’s your progress the long-term fuel that ignites your motivation and allows you to enter a virtuous cycle: consistent training – progress – motivation – more training – more progress – fluency.
What gets you unstuck is consistent daily practice.
It's as simple as that. But it's not effortless.
Everybody can implement this habit. But few do.
Everybody can get unstuck and become fluent. But few do.
Are you one of the few?
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