Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!

Right now, everyone is motivated to study Japanese.

They've got new goals, fresh plans, new textbooks and apps, and the feeling that this year is going to be different.

Then... February arrives.

Progress feels slower than expected.

Motivation drops.

Results don't match the effort (yet).

But most people don't give up because they lack ability. They give up because their expectations were too high to start with.

And the truth is that learning Japanese is repetitive and often frustrating. It's not rewarding early on. Which doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It was never going to be easy.

So, if you want to be in the 10% of people who see their goals through, there's just one thing you need to keep in mind:

The path to achieving your goals is paved with things you don't want to do.

If you're not sure where to start, keep it simple.

Pick one small thing and do it regularly.

Start with beginner materials, even if you've studied before.

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Easy Japanese!

Join a language exchange and aim for short, imperfect conversations.

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Japanese Language Exchange!

Cook a Japanese dish and learn the ingredient names.

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Japanese Nabe!

This year can be different.

Start small, stay consistent, and we can't wait to see you on the other side!

Side note: If you're serious about really leveling up, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to make the most of your time here!

For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our blog here.

Your Friends,

The Japan Switch Team