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Hey there, English learners! Welcome back to the English Leap Podcast
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your go-to podcast for learning English the fun, natural way and improving all areas of your life!
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I’m Erin!
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And I’m Evan!
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We’re so excited to have you with us today.
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Whether you’re new here or you've been listening for a while, we’ve got a great episode lined up for you!
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Absolutely! Let me ask you something—
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what do you think is the one thing that can make or break your success,
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whether it’s learning English, staying fit, or reaching any goal?
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That’s an interesting question!
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Let me guess!
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If there’s one thing that truly determines success, it has to be self-discipline.
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It’s what keeps us moving forward, even when motivation fades.
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You’re absolutely right! And now that you mention it…
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I’ve been struggling with self-discipline lately.
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I’ve been falling behind on some personal goals and, to be honest, feeling a bit undisciplined.
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I can totally relate!
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We all have those moments where we set big goals and then struggle to stick with them.
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What’s been going on for you?
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Well, for example, I’ve been wanting to exercise more,
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but the days when I need to work out always seem to clash with my Netflix binge sessions!
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I just can't seem to keep the momentum going, and I keep thinking, ‘I’ll start tomorrow!’
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Ah, the classic ‘I’ll start tomorrow’ syndrome!
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We’ve all been there! But hey, this is exactly why we’re talking about self-discipline today.
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Because without it, we end up procrastinating and losing sight of our goals.
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Exactly! So, in today’s episode, we’re going to break down how to build self-discipline,
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why it’s crucial for success, and how we can stay motivated even when things get tough.
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Yes! And the best part?
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We’ve got some practical tips to share that’ll help you stay disciplined
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in both your English learning and other areas of your life!
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And, as always, we’ve got a special treat for you
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our free PDF guide for today’s episode, which includes key takeaways, comprehension questions, and grammar exercises.
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You can use it to reinforce what you learn today
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and keep improving your discipline and English!
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m-hmm! And don’t forget,
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we’ll also be introducing some new intermediate-level vocabulary throughout the episode.
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These words and phrases will help you sound even more natural when you speak English,
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and we’ll be breaking them down in Charlotte’s Vocabulary Section later on!
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So, stick around because this episode is packed with practical insights
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that will help you build self-discipline and take your English skills to new heights!
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That’s right!
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Whether you’re looking to build better habits, improve your speaking confidence,
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or just get better at staying focused—this episode is for you!
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Alright, let’s get started with today’s topic—how to build self-discipline
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and stay consistent on the path to success!
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m-hmm! lLet’s kick things off with the first tip: Start with tiny habits.
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If you’re aiming to build self-discipline, focusing on small, manageable habits is a great way to begin.
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I can totally relate to this!
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Every year, I set huge goals—like working out for an hour every day or eating perfectly.
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And every year, by mid-January, I’m already overwhelmed and burned out.
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It’s frustrating because I can’t keep up with such big expectations.
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Oh, I know exactly what you mean!
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New Year’s resolutions can be so tempting,
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but they can also lead to burnout if we try to do too much at once.
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The key is to start small and build momentum.
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Exactly! I’ve realized that when I focus on tiny habits—
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like committing to just 5 minutes of exercise each day—I’m more likely to stick with it.
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It feels more manageable, and over time, it builds up.
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That’s it!
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Tiny habits, done consistently, help you build momentum.
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Like you said, 5 minutes of exercise every day seems small, but over a few weeks or months, it can really add up.
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Yeah! It’s the same with language learning.
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Instead of committing to study English for an hour,
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Commit to just 5 minutes of practice a day,
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whether it’s reading, listening, or learning a new word.
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Over time, that small habit will turn into progress,
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and you’ll feel more confident without feeling stressed.
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Remember, consistency is key!
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Exactly! James Clear in ‘Atomic Habits’ talks about how small habits compound over time.
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The idea is to make the habit so small that you can't say no to it.
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You might only practice for a few minutes,
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but that small effort, done consistently, leads to big results.
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I love that!
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And the best part is, when you focus on small habits, they naturally become part of your routine.
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It’s easier to stay disciplined without feeling like you’re forcing yourself.
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Totally! And now, moving to the second tip: focus on systems, not just goals.
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Goals are great, but they don’t always lead to success without a clear system to back them up.
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I’ve definitely made that mistake!
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I’d set big goals like ‘I want to lose 30 pounds in three months,’
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but without a system in place, I just couldn’t keep up.
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I’d start strong, but then get discouraged when I didn’t see quick results.
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Exactly! That’s where systems come in.
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A system is a series of small, daily actions that get you closer to your goal.
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Ah, I see! So instead of focusing on the outcome,
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our listeners should focus on creating a system for success.
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For example, they can practice English for just 10 minutes every morning
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or listen to English podcasts during their commute.
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By making these small, consistent habits a part of their daily routine, they’ll start seeing big results over time!
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Yes! And once your system is in place, it becomes automatic.
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You don’t have to rely on motivation; you just follow the routine, no matter how small it seems.
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I like that!
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When I focus on building a routine, I’m not stressing about the end goal
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just about following through with the system I’ve set up.
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Exactly! Systems are what keep you on track.
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With the right system in place, you’re less likely to burn out or give up,
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because your actions become consistent and automatic.
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Right!
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It’s like creating a path that leads you to your goal without all the bumps and detours.
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Once the system is in place, it becomes second nature.
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Exactly! And that leads us to the next tip: make habits attractive.
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If you make a habit fun, sticking with it becomes a whole lot easier!
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I totally agree! When I started exercising, I used to dread it,
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but then I started making it enjoyable.
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I’d listen to my favorite music or watch a funny TV show while stretching.
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Suddenly, working out wasn’t such a chore!
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Exactly! The same approach works for English practice.
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If you find ways to make it enjoyable—
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like watching an exciting English show or treating yourself after a study session
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it makes the process so much more fun!
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That’s a great idea!
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If our listeners reward themselves after practicing English, like with a small treat or a fun activity,
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it’ll keep them motivated.
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It’s like bribing yourself to learn, but in a good way!
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Haha! Well, who doesn’t love a little self-bribery?
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Positive reinforcement is powerful.
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When you pair good habits with rewards, it makes it more likely you’ll stick with them.
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Your brain loves rewards, and it’ll strengthen the habit over time.
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So, making habits attractive by pairing them with rewards means I’m more likely to stick to my goals
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Whether it’s fitness or language learning.
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Who knew being disciplined could involve snacks and TV?
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Right! Discipline doesn’t have to be a boring task!
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And that leads us to the next tip—designing your environment for success.
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The truth is, your surroundings can either help or hurt your discipline.
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Oh, I can definitely vouch for that!
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When my desk is cluttered or I’ve got snacks all around me, I get distracted really quickly.
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Haha! like a setup for disaster!
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If your environment doesn’t support your goals, it’s way too easy to give in to distractions.
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Exactly!
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That’s why I’ve started keeping my workout clothes right by my bed and my gym bag near the door.
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That way, I’m reminded to exercise first thing in the morning.
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I also moved the snacks away from my desk to avoid temptation and stay focused.
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Smart move!
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The key is to make it easier to follow through and harder to procrastinate.
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Exactly! Same thing goes for English learning too.
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For all of you learning English, make your environment work for you!
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Keep your study materials visible and accessible.
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Whether it’s books, apps, or flashcards—make sure they’re within reach.
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Out of sight, out of mind, right?
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Right! And don’t forget, the people around you matter too.
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Surround yourself with people who support your goals.
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If your friends are cheering you on, it’s a lot easier to stay disciplined.
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Well, unless your friends are distracting you with cake...
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but that’s a different story!
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Haha, true!
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And speaking of distractions, that’s where managing your willpower and energy comes in.
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Willpower is like a muscle—it gets weaker the more you use it.
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Oh, I totally feel that!
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By the end of the day, I’ve used up all my willpower,
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and I’m just trying to resist the urge to binge-watch Netflix.
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Haha! I hear you!
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That’s why it’s important to manage your energy wisely.
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Do your most important tasks, like studying English or exercising,
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when you’re feeling your best
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usually earlier in the day.
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Right! So, for me, if I exercise in the morning, I’m more likely to stick with it.
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But by the evening, I don’t have the energy to force myself to work out.
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Exactly! And for English learners, find your peak energy time and use it for focused practice.
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Whether it’s reviewing vocabulary, speaking, or listening,
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do it when you’re feeling sharp to make the most of your energy!
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Totally! And another tip is automating decisions.
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The fewer decisions you have to make,
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the more energy you’ll have for the things that really matter,
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like learning or working out.
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Exactly! Automating your decisions helps you conserve mental energy for the big stuff.
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Now, once you’ve set up your systems,
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having someone to hold you accountable can take it to the next level.
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Social support is key to boosting your self-discipline.
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I completely agree!
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When I have a workout buddy or a friend checking in on me,
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I’m way more likely to stay on track with my exercise routine.
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Exactly! The same goes for English learners.
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Whether it’s a language partner, a study group, or even just a friend who checks in on your progress,
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having someone hold you accountable can make a huge difference.
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It’s like having someone to help you stay focused, except without the judgment.
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Just a gentle push when you need it!
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That’s the idea!
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Accountability helps keep you motivated and consistent.
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Whether it’s sharing your English practice with a friend or working out with a partner,
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it’s much easier to stay disciplined with support.
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Exactly! And for fitness, if I have someone to encourage me, it’s so much harder to skip a workout.
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Same for English—you’re more likely to stick to it if you’ve got that support!
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m-hmm! Now that we've covered some powerful tips for building self-discipline,
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let's take a quick moment to review some key words and phrases we’ve mentioned today.
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That’s right!
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And to help with your English learning,
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we’ve got Charlotte here to explain some of the intermediate vocabulary we used today.
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Over to you, Charlotte!
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Hi everyone! It’s Charlotte here,
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and today, I’m going to break down some key vocabulary from today’s episode that can help boost your English skills.
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Let’s dive in!
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And that’s it for today’s vocabulary section!
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Remember, the best way to remember new words is by using them in real-life situations.
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Try to include these words in your conversations or writing to reinforce your learning.
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Thanks, Charlotte! Those vocabulary tips are always helpful.
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Absolutely! And now it’s time to wrap up.
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Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the English Leap Podcast!
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Remember to keep those tiny habits in place, stay consistent, and make your environment work for you!
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And, of course, reward yourself along the way.
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Good habits don’t have to be boring—make them fun!
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m-hmm! We’ll catch you in the next episode.
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Keep learning, and keep improving.
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Until then, take care!
