Good evening !

You might already be aware that the key to becoming better at anything is to create a habit of practicing it.

Want to cook better? Cook something every day.

Want to get fitter? Exercise regularly.

Want to speak English better? Speak English as often as you can.

Even if you suck.

Even if you don't see immediate results

Even if you don't feel like it.

But sticking to a useful habit is difficult.

There is an "old" me fighting the "better" me every time you make a decision to do (or not do) something.

When we fail, it's because the old one wins.

So how can you improve your chances of succeeding?

"The key, if you want to build habits that last, is to join a group where the desired behavior is the normal behavior." (James Clear, the author of "Atomic Habits")

Find (or create) a group of people who have the same goal as you do:

A cooking class. A yoga group. An English-learning community.

They are not just folks "in the same boat" as you are.

Yes, you can share your challenges, but you can also share your questions, your discoveries, and your insights. It's always more enjoyable to do something challenging with other people.

These people may be your inspiration and your incentive to keep mastering that skill.

Can you remember a situation where a group helped you overcome your resistance and become better at a brand-new skill?

If you can, tell me about that situation.

Have a nice Wednesday,

Tania.

PS: Let me know if you're actually trying to improve your English:

• I'm trying to improve my English
• I'm NOT learning English now

PPS: Vocabulary in this email:

• be aware that = know that
• you suck (informal) = you're bad at something
• you don't feel like it = you don't want to
• in the same boat = in the same difficult situation
• an insight = a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation
• your incentive = something that encourages you to do something
• overcome the resistance = successfully control your opposition to new habit