Have you ever said out loud or in your mind, “I can’t learn a language!”
Well … guess what?
You’re fooling yourself!
And it’s the worse kind of lie.
Why?
Because every minute you’re not fluent in at least one other language, you’re keeping yourself locked in a monolingual prison …
The same prison that deeply dissatisfies billions of people around the world!
And instead of doing something to improve their lot in life and memory, they simper and whimper in the unnecessary depression and suffering that the following lies, illusions and problems created by people perfectly capable of success.
Avoid the following traps and you will grasp success and suckle from its nourishment for life – guaranteed!
#1: The Lie That You’re Too Busy To Learn A Language
That’s how most people see themselves:
Busy.
REALLY busy.
In some cases, this is true.
But for most of us, being “time poor” has a core root. And that root is rotten.
These days its lots and lots of time WASTED on social media.
Don’t blame yourself, though. As I talked about last time when I gave you my Ultimate Concentration Exercise Combo, a lot of the problem isn’t your fault.
But you can do something about the problem. And to ignore it means just three things:
And you know that learning a language is good for your brain.
The secret?
Stop Splitting Your Attention
As I shared in my post about morning rituals for language learning, you can use Magnetic Habit-Chaining to get more results in 15-30 minutes per day than most language learners will accomplish in a month.
It’s fun, easy to do and you’ll like yourself better.
Why?
Because you’re moving towards your language goal, not cheating yourself out of it by wasting time on unnecessary social media.
In each case, I’m using Memory Palaces in combination with The Big Five of Language Learning.
This multi-step process is important because it moves the language through multiple representation centers of the brain: audio, visual and kinesthetic.
And if you get in some language learning practice in restaurants that feature the language you’re studying, you can squeeze in your gustatory and olfactory rep centers too.
3. The Lie That You Must Learn Lackluster Vocabulary & Phrases So Boring You Wanna Tear Your Hair Out
Although you occasionally do have to buckle down and learn some boring words like he, she, if, then, but and … AND …
… most language learners struggle because they stick too closely to the boring stuff.
Let’s face it:
We need a textbook, audio and video program.
But we also need more. We need to learn vocabulary and phrases that connect with our interests.
For me, it’s movies.
And books.
And the topic of memory.
Knowing what I like makes the pursuit of vocabulary and phrases easier. Knowing what you like will make it easier for you too.
Plus, regularly meeting with native speakers who share similar interests means those interesting and exciting terms will keep popping up.
Case in point: I’m still sad about leaving Berlin, but delighted that there’s a German book club here in Brisbane.
And so that means I get to hang with literature enthusiasts who use really cool words and phrases – all while reading and discussing books that include amazing vocab and linguistic flair that excited me page after page.
Bonus: Focusing on words and phrases connected to your interests creates energy.
As language learners, we need all we can get for the long haul, so make sure you’re feeding yourself plenty of relevant things to say and understand. That’s how you create a powerfully consistent engine that builds and fuels itself for a lifetime of voyages on the highways of fluency.
4. The Lie That Language Learners Don’t Need A Positive Mindset & Welcoming Attitude
I’ve learned a lot over the years about why some people learning languages don’t have much success.
A lot comes down to the fact that they don’t make new words and phrases feel welcome. They don’t make their mood and memory like a warm living room. They don’t come out with freshly baked cookies and they certainly don’t serve milk.
And that’s sad.
Look at it this way:
New vocabulary and phrases are the backbone of your language learning progress. Without acquiring them, you’re left bored, frustrated and alone in a boat without a paddle. Those delightful islands of fluency become less and less reachable without a constant flow of the new entering and remaining in your brain.
But so many people prefer negative attitudes and the conviction that their language is the most difficult in the world.
How about a different tact? How about a positive and welcoming attitude that says:
My language is the best and easiest language in the world!
I love it and I’m going to do everything in my power to welcome its parts in so that they want to stay forever.
Well, of course it does, but you’ve got to do more than just think welcoming thoughts. You need to prepare your mind to actually be welcoming.
And that’s as simple as creating and using Memory Palaces. It’s no more difficult than dreaming up pictures you associate with sounds so you can place them strategically in your Memory Palaces for recall later.
What you’re doing is so much simpler than people who insist on calling memory techniques for language learning difficult fail to understand:
You’re simply having a conversation with sound and meaning in your mind. But if your mind is an unwelcoming dungeon filled with torturous tools of negativity …
… Of course all the vocabulary and phrases you want to remember runs away fearful and screaming!
Instead, show the language you want to learn love and appreciation. Create an environment it actually wants to stick around and enjoy living in.
Bonus: One of the best ways to make new words and phrases feel welcome in your mind is to use them promptly.
Seriously. A huge secret of memory success is just to get the words and phrases you use into operation immediately.
Oh, and drink water. Dehydrated brains shrink. The smaller your brain, the less room for vocabulary and phrases.
5. The Lie That Leads To Lack Of Gratitude
This next point might sound a bit crazy, but I believe it to be 100% true:
People privileged enough to even think about learning a language are rarely thankful about the privileges they have.
Seriously.
All the whining and crying out there about the difficulties of learning a language makes me want to puke. Most of us should be on our hands and knees thanking our lucky stars that we even have the opportunity to learn anything.
And please do not waste any time feeling offended if you think I’m pointing my finger at you. Believe me, I sometimes get whiny myself about the difficulties in life. We all do.
But the difference between those who make progress and those who get stuck in a rut comes down to the simple ability to recognize when you’re feeling sorry for yourself.
And then pick up your chin and move on.
But the question remains:
How so you show that you’re grateful for learning a language?
One way is to write about it every day in your gratitude journal.
That’s what I do.
Every morning, I acknowledge at least 10 things I’m grateful for, sometimes more. And everyday, I acknowledge that I’m grateful for my progress with Chinese and the maintenance of my German.
When I get a chance to speak any other language I’ve learned something from – or even just remember a language learning experience – I jot that down too.
Showing gratitude is simple, easy and fast. And if you don’t think it will make a difference …
Go ahead and try to prove me wrong. I admire your skepticism and can’t wait to hear what happens when you apply sincere gratitude practice to your language learning activities.
Bonus: You can easily complete your daily gratitude exercise when you use The Freedom Journal for language learning. It’s an exceptional tool for breaking everything down into 10-day sprints, so make sure you’ve got one on your side in support of your language learning goals.
Magnetic Conclusion
Be bold and outrageous when learning a language. So many failures come down to the simple fact that people bore themselves to death.
Worse, they hypnotize themselves with negative messages and don’t prepare their minds for success.
Sadly, that’s the status quo. That’s what passes as “normal.”
But this sad portrait of normalcy and language learning destitution doesn’t have to be you!
Instead of being busy, make time …
Instead of feeling helpless and piling on more useless tools, recognize that you already have more than you need …
Instead of choosing lackluster phrases and vocabulary …
Sex Things Up!
Instead of forcing the language into a hostile jungle of negativity, welcome the language into a well-rested and well-cared for brain …
Instead of griping and moaning about how tough everything is,be grateful that you have the opportunity to learn in the first place.
And above all, recognize that you’re on a journey. You’re playing the long game. You’re in it to experience amazing returns on your investments and wonderful adventures.
But nothing’s going to happen if you let these 5 barriers hold you back.
So what do you say? Are you ready to drop the dark chains holding you down and release the language learning force within you?
I hope so, because time sure is ticking. And none of us know how much we’ve got left, so it’s important to seek the fulfillment of fluency with all engines blazing.
Have you ever said out loud or in your mind, “I can’t learn a language!”
