We all have good intentions: become better at our jobs, work harder at our marriages, learn or perfect a foreign language.
Wanting to do these things is one thing, but actually doing them, and sustaining the effort required for success, maybe for months or years, is quite different.
It’s all too easy to find reasons to prioritise other things. It’s hard to fit everything in. Or you may simply “forget”.
I’m supposed to be writing an e-book (for Italians learning English). Until a couple of weeks ago I was doing well, writing a few pages each day.
I’d got about two thirds of it done and was on the home straight. Then, for some reason I don’t really understand, I just stopped getting around to it.
Perhaps you’ve had the same problem studying Italian?
If so, getting back on track might be as simple as identifying WHY you’re not making progress, and working out a way to overcome the problem, or problems!
Take a look at this list. Anything sound familiar?
Reasons for NOT studying Italian
- you’re too tired after a long day
- you have a new project that’s keeping you busy
- there are other priorities
- it’s not the “right” time to begin something new
- there will be a “better” time (at the weekend, during the holidays, when you’re not so busy, etc.)
- you don’t know where to start
- you don’t really believe you can do it
- you haven’t got the books or materials
- you hate studying on your own
Here’s how to get back on track
There’s one fool-proof way to get your studying back on track: just start!
There’s a motivating effect that comes from doing something, rather than nothing, which means you’ll feel much better about studying Italian if you actually do it.
It’s not a good idea to be too ambitious at this point, or you might convince yourself that you were right to have given up (you weren’t!) So choose something easy, something you know you can do and just begin.
You could do some of the exercises on this site, for example.
Don’t worry about implementing a whole new study program – you can do that later, once you’ve strengthened your motivation with an early success.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with just a single step.
P.S. A couple of reminders for you:
- The special offer on online Italian lessons with Skype expires tomorrow: study Italian from your home or office with your own private teacher, no matter where you are in the world! It says on the sales page that the offer expires on Wednesday. It WAS going to be Wednesday (Liberation Day, here in Italy), but I’m going to be in the middle of the Adriatic sea on a sailing yacht by then, so I have to take it down tomorrow before I leave. Tomorrow’s the 24th, so if you want to save money on Skype Italian lessons, better do it now.
- Not so urgent: the launch offer on our e-book/audio package Italian Workout! B1 is also expiring, but not until Saturday, and it’s automatic so will happen on it’s own, whether I’ve drowned or not. If you want to buy this great self-study material for this once only price of €9.99 rather than €19.99, click here. There won’t be any reminders.