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Vital words for understanding
Perfectionism – the need to be perfect or do things perfectly
Excuse – a reason given to avoid doing something
Psychological barrier – a mental obstacle preventing progress
Delay – to postpone or put off doing something
Progress – improvement or development over time
Comfort zone – a situation where you feel safe and comfortable
Fear of failure – being afraid of making mistakes or not succeeding
Confidence – belief in yourself and your abilities
Overthinking – thinking too much, which can stop you from acting
Burnout – feeling exhausted from too much effort or stress
Accountability – responsibility for progress or actions
Guidance – advice or help from an expert
Structure – a clear and organized way of doing something
Embrace imperfection – accept that things don’t have to be perfect
As the title suggests, let’s talk about perfectionism today. As a perfectionist myself – at least in some areas – I understand where you’re coming from.
- I’ll travel when I learn basic structures.
- I’ll apply for the job once I’m fluent.
- I’ll start learning English when my kids grow up.
These are just some of the excuses I’ve heard from clients recently. But let’s simplify it:
🛑 I’ll start … when I … 🛑
By repeating this to yourself, you’re building psychological barriers that delay your progress. The truth is, waiting for the “right” time often means waiting forever – because there’s never a perfect moment to start anything.
The habit of delay
The more we postpone, the easier it is to keep postponing. Can you see the connection? The more you speak, the easier English gets. But when we delay, we do it for a reason. In my experience, these reasons often come down to:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of stepping out of our comfort zone
- Lack of confidence
It’s heartbreaking to see this in people who are otherwise incredibly strong and capable. In fact, those who struggle the most with these fears are often the ones who inspire me the most.
A few truths about learning
→ You’ll never feel 100% ready. And that’s okay.
→ Learning happens through action. Think back to childhood – how did you learn that fire burns or that lying has consequences? By doing, trying, and discovering through experience. Language learning works the same way.
Where to start?
- Start small. Even simple thoughts like I like this coffee or My boss is a jerk count.
- Talk to an AI chatbot. No pressure, no judgment – just you and the machine.
- Set mini-goals. Try reading something easy today – newsinlevels.com is a great place to start.
- Make learning fun. Play an English memory game (pexeso).
- Use music. Listen to an English song and check the lyrics (karaoketexty.cz).
- Find a teacher on YouTube. Choose one you enjoy learning from and stick with them.
or – find a private teacher
We often get trapped in a cycle:
➡ I’ll start when I’m ready → I try now → I don’t see progress → I feel stuck → I stop → I’ll start when I’m ready… again.
Sound familiar? This loop can lead to overthinking, overdoing, and eventually, burnout. You don’t have to do it alone. A teacher provides structure, guidance, and accountability – helping you move forward even when you don’t feel ready.
Loosen your need for control. Embrace imperfection. Trust the process. Because progress doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from doing.