February = Fail, March = Mornings
by projecthitchhiker on March 2, 2009
in Language Learning, Personal Development
It’s time to honestly look at the results from the Power Of Less Habit Challenge in February. Because as fun as it is to pat yourself on the back for a job well done, it’s often more rewarding to look at why we didn’t achieve our goals.
For the first half of February, I did great. I read at least a half hour of French every day, without missing a day. I had great reading material (L’Alchemiste, French Motorcycle Magazines and National Geographics), and looked forward to my study time each day. Week three, however, my momentum dropped. I got busy, and missed 3 days. Then, the last week in February, while I was on vacation, I only studied 3 times, for a total of 2 hours clocked. Not so good.
A few reasons why I think I didn’t succeed:
Screw New Years Resolutions: A BETTER way to make change in 2009
by projecthitchhiker on January 21, 2009
in Accountability Lists, Four Hour Workweek, Language Learning, Lifestyle Design, Personal Development
“I’m going to quit smoking, lose 20 pounds, give up drinking hard liquor and run at least an hour every day.” How many people out there have ever actually succeeded with New Years Resolutions? Why does it always fail? My theory is that it’s too much all at once. It becomes more painful to continue with the extreme lifestyle makeover than the short-term pleasure you would get reverting to your old habits.
Tim Ferriss-ize Your Language Learning (plus: Rocking Out In Kyushu, Japan)
by projecthitchhiker on October 13, 2008
in Four Hour Workweek, Japan, Language Learning, Personal Development, Travel
My friend Josh recently wrote a blog post about learning Spanish — what has been working, and what hasn’t — and asked for strategies from his readers. When I sat down to write a comment, I realized I had too much to say for just a short paragraph, so here it is. These are strategies that have helped me (and people who I have recognized as effective second language learners) pick up a new language quicker than average — not because we are smarter, but simply because we focus on time-efficient and effective strategies.