When Learning Seems Impossible

I was told many years ago that when doing something, especially when it’s new, to have a positive mental attitude. I would be lying if I said that this is my natural disposition; I have experienced too much, have a critical mind, and am suspicious of new things. To help myself, I had to learn how to frame things in a way that made them more accessible.

My main problem was impatience. This often led to negative outcomes due to bad planning, unrealistic expectations, and demotivation. This created a cycle of try, fail, try, fail, try, fail, give up.

Things changed when I slowed down and gave myself time to understand the information and the process before trying again. It didn’t stop me from failing, but I had a better knowledge of my mistakes so I wouldn’t repeat them.

Another issue of mine was trying someone else’s way of doing things. I was critical that their way would not work for me and suspicious of their knowledge and motives. Definitely not a positive mental attitude! I find it difficult to blindly follow rules and simply accept what I am told. Trust issues? You bet! I need to understand the process and the reasons behind it before following other people’s plans or methods.

After many pleasant surprises and achievements through slowing down and trusting others, my positive mental attitude gradually developed. My reluctance to try different and new methods became weaker, and my critical mind started helping me find solutions instead of creating problems. We learn through mistakes and failures, but my mindset was creating the problem, not the advice itself.

This experience is something I pass on to help students overcome their own negative mental attitudes; I understand because I am you!

I believe most people can achieve anything with the right guidance and support. Within that, a positive mental attitude gives the additional push needed to try, fail, and ultimately succeed.

 At times, some parts of learning English will feel impossible: using the wrong grammar, forgetting vocabulary, or mispronouncing words. However, patience, trying, failing, and trusting guidance will lead to success, whether great or small. The impossible becomes possible, and difficulties become challenges that you can overcome.