Don't just go 'back to school'

(unless of course, you are a kid or a school teacher ??)

It’s that time of year again—everyone’s talking about “getting back to learning”. But before you sign up for yet another course or fall into the same old routine, ask yourself: how’s that been working out for you so far? Be real.

I’ve totally been there—going through the motions, sticking with what’s familiar, even when I wasn’t really getting anywhere. Sound like you? If yes, maybe it’s time to, I don’t know, shake things up a bit. Try something different for once!

So, here are a few questions to think about:

• What do I actually need to improve right now? Seriously, this one’s important. If you’re just floating around without a clear focus, you’re probably wasting time and energy (and, let’s be honest, losing motivation). I’ve done that more times than I care to admit in many areas of my life!
• Are my learning habits still working for me? Do you even have learning habits? If you do, are they getting you where you want to be? And if not, well… maybe it’s time to start some. You’re never too old to create a new habit.
• Am I working on the right stuff? You’ve got goals, right? (If not, we need to talk!) Break them down into bite-sized steps, and then focus on the skills that’ll actually help you get there. Stop wasting time on random stuff just because it feels productive.

Maybe it’s time to do things a little differently. Chuck the textbook and try some real-world practice. Or set goals that aren’t vague and impossible. Or better yet, get a coach who will actually push you (because sometimes, let’s face it, we all need a little kick).

So instead of jumping right back into the same old way, why not mix it up? Even the smallest change can make a huge difference. You might be shocked at how fast you start hitting your goals when you stop following the same old routine.

If you would like some help to break the old routine and shake things up a bit with your English, then reach out on LinkedIn.