Are you stuck with learning or improving your Dutch?
It's easy to get in a rut in the midst of a global pandemic (and most other that has upended our daily lives as we know them and brought quarantines, uncertainty and chaos into the world.)
Maybe you have made goals to improve your Dutch language skills, but for some reason, you are not reaching for them. You can also get stuck in worry, afraid to make a decision or change something in your life. Or maybe you're disappointed with a previous course, and it just feels too hard to move on. When we get stuck, we often wait for external change to happen. Change is scary and painful, but it's also necessary for getting unstuck. And when that happens, many opportunities open up.
Try these four strategies when you feel stuck:
1. Change your perspective
Once you release the grip of the past, you will see your reality in new ways and feel freer to change your attitude. If you can, take a break from your daily routine to clear your mind and get distance from your current situation. Open yourself up to new people and ideas, and introduce regular activity into your routine. Maybe a group course did not work for you in the past, maybe it’s time to stop making excuses, and maybe learning Dutch 1-on-1 with an experienced teacher is a better way for you?
2. Follow your curiosity
Your life purpose is not just your job, your responsibilities, or your goals—it's what makes you feel alive. These are the things you are curious about and will ‘fight’ for.
If you feel like you haven't had a purpose, this is a great time to define it. Ask yourself the following questions as you consider your life purpose:
What makes me happy?
What are my favourite things to do now?
When do I enjoy myself so much or become so committed to something that I lose track of time?
3. Believe in yourself
Trust that you can reach your expectations and get out of your comfort zone. Make a list of your strengths and positive traits, and remember that you are very capable. Many people sabotage their own progress—consciously or unconsciously—as a result of deep-seated fears and limiting beliefs.
The first step to believing in yourself is to recognize your self-doubt. Pay attention to the ways you react to situations. Then you can work to reframe your self-doubt. Limitations like, "I can't" or "I don’t know" can be replaced with, "I can't do that yet, but I'm working on it," or "I don't know now, but I'm working on it." The second step is finding the right person to help you.
It can be a Dutch friend, a colleague, a family member or a teacher. Someone who’s patient with you, positive, encouraging, and always a great listener.
4. Hire a professional language teacher
If you find that you are unable to learn Dutch or improve your Dutch language skills on your own, consider consulting a professional language tutor to help you figure out why you are stuck, and to find ways to get unstuck. Having professional support from an experienced Dutch teacher as you work to change long-established thinking patterns can be tremendously helpful. Sometimes asking for help can be the most hopeful and powerful step you can take!
Schedule a 15-minute intake with Dutch of Course: info@dutchofcourse.nl
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