Craig Dodge - Blog

You make it!

When I was a fitness trainer, one of the most common challenges for people trying to start or maintain an exercise program was finding the time. Our work, school, family and social lives are so busy that finding time to go to the gym can be difficult.

The best solution to this time management problem is for people to put exercise time right into their daily or weekly schedule. Don't just wait until there is some free time, because it isn't going to come. You need to put it on your calendar, just like a business meeting or a hot date. No excuses. No waiting for some free time to magically appear because it probably isn't going to.

The same goes for making time for language learning. Many of my students/clients don't spend any time outside of our meetings to review, study or practice English. It's the same excuse: no time. I wrote before in the "How badly do you want it?" post that you will not make much progress spending only one or two hours once a week with a tutor.

You need to write a few minutes into your schedule, ideally every day. Put it right on your calendar! Schedule 15 minutes for an ESLPod podcast,  5 minutes for a Voice of America podcast or 5-10 minutes previewing/reviewing material you've covered with your teacher. If you put it on your schedule and treat it just as you would any other obligation, you are more likely to do it.

ANYONE can find 5 - 15 minutes in their schedule for a little language practice, especially if you just decide you are going to do it. No more excuses. Take out your calendar right now and write in an appointment for language practice.