ATOMIC LANGUAGE HABITS
At the top of the year, I had a several goals that I wanted to focus on which all fit under one umbrella.
Be better.
This included being better at keeping promises to myself. For example, I said I was going to be reading more in 2025. Sadly, I'm one of those people who loves to buy books, but rarely reads them. Now, It maybe have taken a few months, but I sat my ass on the couch a few nights a week and read Atomic Habits by James Clear. Every productivity Youtuber had it at the top of their list, so I thought it must have something worth learning in it.
It's all about dissecting what habits are and the systems we've put in place that create them, shape them or break them. There were a few references to language learning in this book and it really got me thinking about my own systems when it comes to languages or if I even had one.
"Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results." - James Clear
If my system was missing anything, it was that I didn't spend enough time engaging with the language on a personal level. I find myself thinking that I don't really sound like me. In English, I'm sarcastic and probably come off as being "not serious." In Spanish, I've been told that I sound "very correct", like a newscaster.
And I'm not sure how I feel about that.
In order to get myself to a place where my second and third languages are at a place I feel comfortable using them, I need to revamp my system.
Clear outlined his four laws to create a good habit and I'm going to build my system using pieces from this guide that I think would benefit my language learning journey.
Make It Obvious
“Design your environment. Make the cues of good habits obvious and visible.”
I've brought as much Spanish into my environments as I can. All of my devices are in Spanish; phone, tablet, computer, tv, Xbox, watch...everything. I want to see as much Spanish as can (which is ironic as I continue to write all of this in English.)
Make It Attractive
“Use temptation bundling. Pair an action you want to do with an action you need to do.”
I want to use more Spanish and I need to go grocery shopping, do house chores, take my dog for a walk, make dinner, etc. I can make my grocery and chores lists in Spanish, listen to a Spanish language podcast when I'm walking my dog, or reading a recipe (or following along on Youtube) in Spanish.
Make It Easy
“Master the decisive moment. Optimize the small choices that deliver outsized impact.”
Being a remote worker has been such a blessing. But when I work from home and it's time for me to clock out, it's way too easy to lay down and take nap. In that moment, I know I have a hundred things I could be doing, but the power of a good nap is hard to resist! This is when I'd need to muster up some willpower and find a better way to use that time. Instead of shutting my brain off completely, perhaps it's my dedicated time to finally give Isla Verde the attention it deserves on Animal Crossing.
4. Make It Satisfying
“Never miss twice. When you forget to do a habit, make sure you get back on track immediately.”
Duolingo and most gamified language learning apps have this covered. If you're wondering, at the time of writing this post, my Duolingo streak is 1,460 days. ¡Más de 4 años! Plenty of streak freezes were used in 2024, but I'm freeze free in 2025! I've also applied the idea of habit tracking to the gym. Each day I go, I add a little green "G" on my calendar. That way I can physically see all of the days I went (and not just feel that I went). I know a lot of people have strong feelings about Duolingo and whether or not it is a good way to learn a language. I can dig into that later, but it's hard to deny their impact when it comes to making learning free and entertaining.
Learning a language to me is a lot more than just a goal. It's a piece of my life that I don't want to lose, so by putting these systems in place, I can make sure it stays a part of my life and only grows with me.
-Weston
