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Do you have any tips or a mindset that would help you stick to a new routine?

Teacher MelE

Starting a new routine is exciting… at first.
We feel motivated, determined, and ready for change. But after a few days (or weeks), life gets busy, motivation fades, and that routine quietly slips away.

So what actually helps us stick to something new — whether it’s learning English, building confidence, or improving communication at work?

For me, the mindset that makes the biggest difference is this:
progress over perfection.

You don’t need long, intense study sessions. You don’t need to speak perfectly. You don’t even need to feel confident every time. What you do need is consistency — small, manageable steps that fit into your real life.

This is especially true when learning English. Many students stop because they feel they’re “not good enough yet” or because they miss a week and think they’ve failed. But learning a language isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up, practising, and building confidence little by little.

That’s why I encourage my students to treat English as part of their routine, not a test. One conversation. One new phrase. One small improvement at a time. Over time, those small steps add up to real progress.

If you’re trying to build (or rebuild) a routine with English — whether for work, daily conversation, or confidence — I’d be happy to support you. My lessons are calm, practical, and designed to work with your routine, not against it.

Sometimes, the best way to stick to a new habit is not doing it alone. 
If you’re ready to take that next small step, I’d love to meet you in a lesson.

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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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English   Native
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