Here we talk about how busy adults learn a foreign language. You know when you move abroad and its tough to fit in, get the hang of the language quickly and make friends? Well, here you learn everything you need to know and do to make that process easier. In fact, you get my approach that let me learn 3 languages (Italian, French, and Spanish) in the last 5 years, all on my own while juggling everything else in my life. Welcome!
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51. Why We Fear Making Mistakes in Language Learning
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11:45Today, we’re going to dive into something that might feel uncomfortable, even a little scary—making mistakes. But what if I told you that the very thing you fear most could actually be the key to your success? That’s right, I’m talking about embracing your mistakes as part of the language learning process. In this episode, we’re going to explore wh…
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50. The Batman effect - Step into your alter ego. Speak without fear.
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10:59What if the secret to speaking a new language confidently… was becoming someone else? No, seriously, a little element of disguise can make a huge difference. Whether it’s a hat, a scarf, or just a new mindset—tapping into an alter ego can change everything. Today’s episode is all about overcoming speaking anxiety with a trick that performers and at…
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49. The 10-Minute Rule: How Short Sessions Can Lead to Big Results
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12:47We all know how busy life can get—work, family, social commitments, and everything else on our plate can leave little time for language learning. But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours of study each day to make significant progress in your language journey. In fact, just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference. If you are ready to try i…
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Let’s be real—language learning is rarely a smooth upward slope.Sometimes, it’s a shuffle. Sometimes it’s a backslide. Sometimes… you completely forget to study. And that happened to me. In my last German update, I shared how I was getting into the groove of learning the grammar foundation of my 6th language—how I’d found some tools that worked and…
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47. How perfectionism ruins your language learning experience
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10:20Today, we’re tackling something that might be holding you back more than you think—perfectionism. We’ve all been there: that overwhelming pressure to say everything just right, to get the grammar perfect, to pronounce every word as if we were a native speaker. But here’s the thing: perfectionism could be slowing down your progress. In this episode,…
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46. Finding Time to Learn: How to Study on the Go
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14:03If you’re someone who’s constantly on the move—whether it’s juggling work, running errands, or handling family responsibilities—you might be feeling like there’s just not enough time in the day to study your new language. You’re not alone! Many of us lead busy lives, and it can be hard to find dedicated study time. But what if I told you that you d…
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45. How to Stay Excited About Learning a new Language
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12:16Let’s be real—when you first start learning a new language, it’s exciting. You’re enthusiastic, you can’t wait to dive in, and every new word and grammar rules feels like a piece of cake. But eventually, that initial excitement starts to fade, and you may find yourself asking: "How do I keep going now?" In today’s episode, we’re going to explore ho…
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44. Vocabulary Building: How to Learn More Words in Less Time
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12:06If you've been learning a new language for a while, you know that expanding your vocabulary is one of the most crucial aspects of becoming conversational. But let’s be real—remembering new words can be tricky, and it often feels like no matter how hard you try, there are just so many words to learn! In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how to…
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43. Why we have the Fear of Speaking? Tips for Talking in Your New Language
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13:14Today, we’re tackling one of the biggest roadblocks that holds so many of us back: the fear of speaking. Whether it’s the fear of making mistakes, sounding “silly,” or being misunderstood, speaking in a new language can be incredibly intimidating. But here’s the good news: this fear is completely normal. The key is learning how to overcome it so yo…
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If you’re new, I’m on a mission to become conversational in my sixth language – German – and I’m doing it using my own method, which I call the Foreign Language Roadmap (FLR). It’s a step-by-step process that takes you through four clear stages, and today, I’m sharing an honest and entertaining update on my progress after five months of learning Ge…
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41. How to Create an Effective Study Plan for Language Learning
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19:26If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “How can I actually stick to a study plan that works?” or “How can I make language learning fit into my busy life?”, then this episode is for you! Creating a personalized study plan is one of the most powerful ways to make consistent progress in your language learning journey. But here’s the thing: there’s n…
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40. How to Shift Your Thinking for Successful Language Learning
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16:12Have you ever found yourself feeling frustrated, stuck, or discouraged in your language learning journey? What if I told you that your mindset could be the secret ingredient that makes all the difference? In this episode, we’re diving into the incredible power of shifting your mindset and how a positive, growth-oriented perspective can transform yo…
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39. Why vocabulary is NOT why you can’t speak your target language
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9:59If you’ve ever been in the middle of a conversation and found yourself completely stuck because you couldn’t remember that one word that you need, don’t worry. We've all been there. Today, we’re diving into something that will change the way you think about communication in a new language: Why You Don’t Need to Know Every Word to Be Understood. Yup…
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38. Language Learning on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources That Actually Work
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8:59Let's face it: language learning can get expensive. Apps, classes, private tutors... It all adds up, right? But what if I told you that you can make significant progress in your target language without spending a fortune? Yes, you heard that right. Today, we’re talking about language learning on a budget—and I’m going to share some of my favorite F…
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37. Expat Bubble - everything you need to know to expand your horizons
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14:37If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself hanging out in the 'expat bubble'—you know, that cozy group of people who all speak your native language, share similar experiences, and are also trying to navigate life in a new country. But while it’s comforting, it can also feel a bit... limiting. If you’re craving those authentic connections wit…
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36. When you’re questioning if it’s even worth it
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13:51Today, we’re tackling a big one—what to do when your motivation takes a nosedive. You know the feeling: you’re excited when you start learning a language, but then life gets busy, progress feels slow, and suddenly you’re questioning if it’s worth it. If you’ve ever thought, ‘Why am I even doing this?’ or felt like giving up, this episode is for you…
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35. How to Fit Language Learning into a Busy Schedule
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10:25Let me ask you something—do you feel like your to-do list is so long it’s practically a scroll? You’re juggling work, family, social commitments, and somehow, somewhere, you’re supposed to find time to learn a new language. It’s overwhelming, right? But here’s the good news—you don’t need hours of free time to make meaningful progress in your langu…
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34. GermanFromZero, part 2 - My own Language Journey with my sixth language
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15:20Today, I want to share something personal: my own journey with my sixth language - German. Honestly, you’d think it’d get easier by now. Spoiler alert—it doesn’t. Actually, let’s rephrase it - it depends on what you consider to be easier. Is it easy to learn something completely new and memorize endless grammar rules? Let's find out - tune in today…
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33. Breaking Through the Language Barrier
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13:16in today’s episode, we’re talking about something that every language learner faces at one point or another: the language barrier. You know, those moments when you know the words, but for some reason, you just can’t seem to get your point across, or when you freeze up during a conversation. It can be frustrating, and it can feel like a wall standin…
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32. Am I Too Old to Learn a New Language? Debunking the myth that age can stop you!
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9:51"Kids learn like sponges and if you haven't taken advantage of it earlier, it's too late now" - did you ever come across this phrase? If you’ve ever thought, 'I’m too old to learn a new language' or worried that language learning is only for the young, this episode is for you. We’re going to dive into the science behind language learning at any age…
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31. What to do when you feel stuck on your journey with a foreign language
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10:47We’re going to talk about how to deal with those setbacks, how to keep yourself motivated when the going gets tough, and most importantly, how to bounce back stronger than ever. Whether you're just starting or have been on this journey for a while, language learning frustration is totally normal, but it doesn’t have to stop you from achieving your …
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30. Will I Ever Be Fluent?” How to Stop Worrying About Your Language Learning Timeline
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10:31If you’ve ever stressed about how long it’s taking you to learn a language or felt discouraged because you’re not progressing fast enough, this episode is for you. We’re going to break down why you shouldn’t obsess over fluency, how to set realistic goals, and how to track your progress in a way that keeps you motivated. Find me here on my website …
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29. From Language Learner to being a Local: How Mastering a New Language Can Help You Feel at Home
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10:22Whether you’ve recently moved abroad, you’re living as an expat, or you’re just traveling extensively, mastering the local language can be the key to unlocking deeper connections and feeling more integrated in your new surroundings. So, in today’s episode, we’re talking about how learning a language can transform you from a visitor to a local, help…
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28. Life abroad can take different shapes and forms - Evelyn's story
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32:20Hey there! Welcome back to Foreign Language Roadmap, your go-to podcast for practical tips, time management and motivation on your language learning journey. My guest today is a fellow expat in Italy. Life abroad can take different shapes and forms, our experiences can be totally different from one another and I find it fascinating to hear other pe…
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27. How to Start Conversations Even When You Feel Insecure
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12:06Whether you’re learning a new language to travel, work abroad, or just for fun, the fear of starting conversations—especially when you’re not feeling 100% confident—can really hold you back. But don’t worry, we’ve got practical tips today on how to break the ice, start conversations, and build your confidence even if you’re feeling a bit insecure. …
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26. Moving from Italy to France with Vittoria Busetti
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36:34My guest today is an incredible person - Vittoria Busetti - her energy is super contagious, her outlook on life is so motivational and encouraging, you are going to feel like you’ve taken an energy pill after listening to our chat with her! She shares her experience moving to France from Italy, learning French, meeting new people, becoming a part o…
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25. Decision Fatigue - when you get tired from deciding on what to study before you even get to studying
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12:33Ever found yourself spending more time looking for stuff to study than actually studying it? Yeah, me too! Let’s figure out why that happens and how we can fix it. Start by grabbing a free resource that I prepared for you - a free pdf on how to be a time management ninja if you feel like there is just not enough time in a day. You will learn some s…
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Why Are We Afraid to Start? Overcoming Mental Blocks in Language Learning
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12:43Have you ever found yourself super excited about learning a new language, only to feel a wave of anxiety when it’s time to actually start? You’re not alone! Lots of us face mental blocks when starting a new language, and today, we’re going to figure out why that happens and how to overcome it. Free Language Challenge - https://lgelena.com/language-…
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How to make your brain LOVE learning a foreign language
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9:33Think about a time when you were really excited about something—maybe it was a new hobby, a goal you were working towards, or a project you were passionate about. Didn't you feel motivated to jump out of bed in the morning and dive right in? That's the power of emotions and you can use it to find your motivation and make your brain love learning a …
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Overcoming Learned Helplessness and Embracing Positivity in Language Learning
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9:18Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t make progress in your language learning? Like you’re stuck and nothing seems to work? That, my friends, is what we call learned helplessness. But don’t worry – we’re going to turn that around with some positivity and practical tips! Download the FREE Interactive Worksheet to learn m…
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What skills it takes to become conversational in your target language and how to learn them
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8:50Alright, so you’ve decided to learn a new language and you’re dreaming about having smooth conversations with native speakers. But what does it really take to get there? Being conversational means you can chat with people, understand what they're saying, and respond naturally. Sounds awesome, right? Well, let’s break down the essential skills you n…
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Special episode with a guest: How to take on a new language when it intimidates you
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17:33My guest today is one of my clients with whom we had a of 1:1 work and she came on today to share her language learning journey in hopes to motivate others, who might be feeling intimidated by even just an idea of taking on a new language. You can find more of my stuff here - https://www.instagram.com/language.guide.elena/ Free Mindset Interactive …
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So, you've decided to learn a new language—congratulations! That's a fantastic decision, but now what? With so many resources, apps, and methods out there, it's easy to feel like you're drowning in options. The key is to take that first step, no matter how small. Once you get going, you are likely to feel overwhelmed with the amount of things you n…
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Life is a Puzzle. How to put it together effectively?
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10:34Life is like a giant puzzle, isn't it? Each piece represents a different aspect—family, career, health, relationships, personal growth, social life, and more. But here's the kicker: figuring out how to fit all these pieces together into a coherent picture is no easy task. It's a delicate process of balancing and juggling, where every decision we ma…
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What are they going to think about my mistakes?
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8:35I sound like a 5-yr old, not a grown person! I totally look like a fool because I am constantly making grammar mistakes and using wrong words or even worse - I freeze up and can’t say anything. I fee like a total joke sometimes! Do any of these things sound familiar to you? Have you said or thought any of these about your foreign language journey? …
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If you are thinking to move abroad, this is what you need to think about
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13:11Recently I received an interesting message on Instagram with a really good point to discuss - desire Vs fear of moving abroad. What to do if you really want to try living abroad but you are afraid of the complications that it brings. It made me realize how many people might be in a similar position and that it might be helpful to dedicate an episod…
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I did't even know I needed this but it proved to be one of the best resources for French!
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21:26Today, I am sharing yet another language learning gem with you. The person and the resource I am going to introduce goes perfectly with stage 3 where you learn to overcome your speaking blocks and fears, your listening comprehension and start building more confidence in your ability to communicate in this new language. Over the years, I have discov…
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What does the Beckhard-Harris Equation have to do with learning a new language?
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12:55Ever struggled to stay motivated or consistent in your language learning journey? Understanding the Beckhard-Harris Change Equation can be a game-changer! It reveals how dissatisfaction with your current situations, in our case, language skills, a clear vision of our goals, practical steps to get there, and overcoming challenges can propel you forw…
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Learn a foreign language with neuroscience
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24:53Today is another one of those episodes where I have a guest to share with you yet another useful tool or technique. Let’s meet Francesca. Her approach has been attracting me for a long time because not only she is an amazing person and she teaches italian but she also uses unique abilities of our brain through neurolanguage methods to make sure tha…
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Navigating Life's Juggle: Tips for Multitasking (or not)
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14:15Welcome to today's episode where we're diving into a topic that affects us all: multitasking. In today's fast-paced world, we're often told that multitasking is the key to getting more done in less time. But is it really? Today, we're going to explore the truth behind the myth of multitasking and why it's not as effective as we might think. FLR - h…
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Have you ever spent hours studying vocabulary or grammar rules, only to forget them soon after? You're not alone! Join in as we explore the science behind the forgetting curve and how it applies to language learning. Let's dive in FLR - https://lgelena.com/courses/foreign-language-roadmap/ Instagram Elena - https://www.instagram.com/language.guide.…
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Today we have a little bit of a different format from my usual one because I want to start introducing to you language learning resources that i find useful and applicable for your language journey. As you might know, I have my own methodology for language learning for busy adults to help you learn faster and easier. Throughout my own journey, I ha…
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Today, we're diving into a topic that many of us can relate to – feeling like we have no talent for languages. But fear not! In this episode, we'll explore the importance of finding your own learning style. Whether you've struggled with languages in the past or are just getting started, understanding how you learn best can make all the difference. …
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If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up. How?
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9:46If you keep going on the swings of giving up your target language and starting over and if you are tired of it, listen to today’s episode carefully because I am going to share a simple 2-part method that will help you get off this swing and start making a difference in your target language. You can get my method to discover how to study a foreign l…
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Does it take 10,000 hours to learn a new language?
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10:1110,000 hrs is a full time job for 5 years! Does this mean I will never be able to learn Italian or any other foreign language? Am i doomed now? But wait, I have learned English to a pretty fluent level and I don’t think I spent 10,000 hours before I was able to have conversations and be reasonably good at it. I felt like there is something funky go…
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Is it too late if you are not a kid anymore?
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9:09Kids are like sponges, its comes easy to them, they just absorb new info naturally, etc Have you heard or said these things before? While kids may pick up languages intuitively, adults bring a treasure trove of experience, cognitive skills, and determination to the table. You're not too late; you're right on time! Listen today's episode to get my p…
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In today's episode, we'll discuss the importance of embracing mistakes as invaluable learning opportunities in your language acquisition journey. You see, when it comes to learning a foreign language, especially as an adult, mistakes are not setbacks but stepping stones to success! Let's shift our mindset together and celebrate the power of mistake…
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Consistency is the magic pill for language learning
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8:53When you don’t think of language learning as a time guzzler, being consistent becomes a lot easier. Consistency is the magic pill for language learning – it might look simple, but it packs a powerful punch! In this episode, we talk about how to make it happen and you get real practical strategies to implement in your life. FLR - https://lgelena.com…
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Last week we started on the power of prioritization and I wanted to expand on that a bit and offer you tools to find your own, personal fire that will help you make learning your target language a priority because your personal WHY is the one thing that will make a difference whether you learn the language and integrate into the new culture or not.…
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The secret to having enough time for a language
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12:47In today’s episode, I want to focus more on the power of prioritization because let’s be honest - don’t we all feel like we never have enough time for the major tasks, let alone doing anything extra, like learning a foreign language? I used to be like that too, quite frankly, I still feel like that sometimes but now I have the tools to not get stuc…
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