Are you motivated? It’s a big question.
You can be motivated easily to do some things but not others. For example, you are motivated to work well in your job because you get paid and because it feels good to do things well and get praise from a manager. Also, you want to progress in the company and receive a promotion in the future. This motivates you to do a good job.
But what about learning a language?
Do you really want to learn English? Is it truly important to you? Why?
Once you answer these questions then you can focus on your motivation.
First, do you really want to learn English?
Next, is it truly important to you?
Why?
Wanting to learn, needing to learn, and having to learn are all different things.
We can want something, but does that make us motivated enough? I want to lose weight, but I’ve wanted that since I was a teenager, and I am much older now and yet I am still overweight. All I need to do is eat less and exercise more. But do I do that? No. Why? Maybe I don’t want it
enough. Or maybe I just think I want it because it’s what everyone wants, right?
We can need something, but does that make us motivated enough? I need to learn French because I live in France, and it seems logical that it would be easier if I learned the language. But I’ve lived here for nearly 7 years, and I am still only a B1 (on a good day). If someone stops
me in the street or supermarket and says something, I still cannot understand them and I forget all my vocabulary. All I need to do is study more, watch French TV, listen to French podcasts, watch some French tutoring videos, read French books. But do I do that? No. So, does it mean that I don’t really need it? I think that could be the problem. We have so many translation tools now. I can manage everyday life with basic French and my phone.
Maybe we must do something, but does that make us motivated enough? When it is an obligation, (perhaps your parents insist you do something, or your employer), that often makes us feel less motivated. We feel we’re being controlled or forced, and we want to rebel against that.
So, what can you do to boost your motivation?
Well, you could try to find the real reason why you 'want to or need to or have to' learn English. Perhaps it would be better to use the word ‘should’. I should learn French. You should learn English. Should means it is the right thing to do or a good idea.
Perhaps English skills will help your career, perhaps they will make travelling easier, maybe you would like to move to an English-speaking country. Whatever the reason, focus on that reason and use that to increase your motivation.
Motivation has two steps.
1. You set the goal (learn or improve English skills).
2. You work to achieve that goal. Success.
But the intenstity of the obligation or need to achieve that goal will determine how persistent you are in your attempt(s) to be successful. How hard are you willing to work and for how long?
Learning a language is hard work and takes time and dedication. You really do need to have strong motivation to achieve success. You must be patient and be prepared to learn step by step. A few minutes each day will help you achieve great steps over a period of time. In 6 months, you can make great improvements. You don't need to be fluent and you certainly do not need to achieve perfection.
Your goal should be to speak easily, be understood and understand others.
The English expression to use is “Hang in there.”
It means don’t give up. Keep on trying. You can do it!
Increase your motivation by reminding yourself of the goal. Imagine speaking English easily in meetings, presentations or in phone calls. No hesitation, no loss of vocabulary. You can do it. It’s achievable with practise. A little every day. Step by step.
Contact me if your motivation needs a boost. I can help you to learn English, speak and understand it easily and with confidence.
#motivation #hanginthere #learnenglish #learnbusinessenglish
