SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE WASHINGTON D.C. –
Americans talk a lot.
The guy sitting in front of me is talking on his phone…
The mother and daughter across the aisle are talking about their phones…
And the announcer yells over the loudspeaker when we’re fifteen minutes away from the next station, ten minutes away, five minutes, and when we have arrived and how to find the door, how to open it, and what kind of a day I should have (always a nice one).
Well, no place is perfect.
But one good thing about being back is being able to go home for the weekend, which is why I’m sitting on this train.
And this weekend I was at my sister’s for her Easter party.
Among the guests was Uncle Al, who’s not really my uncle. Maybe he’s someone’s uncle. But that’s just what I’ve always called him and it’s too late to stop now.
Anyway, while taking a break from jumping on the trampoline with my nephew, Uncle Al asked me, “Why’d you move to Baltimore?”
Half jokingly, I replied, “Money. Why does anyone do anything?”
Later, I thought about that.
Is that true? Do I really beleive that? Did money make me sell half the things I own in this world and say goodbye to my friends in Prague?
Not really.
Money is important.
But afterall, it’s just paper. And more often, numbers on a screen.
It’s hard to get excited about paper and numbers.
And for humans to make a decision, like my decision to leave Prague and move to Baltimore, we need to feel something first.
There’s a famous story about a guy who was injured while working at a factory. A metal rod went through his brain. Miraculously, he didn’t die. But his ability to feel emotions was destroyed. And with it, his ability to make decisions. Even something simple like deciding what to eat was impossible for him.
Advertisers know this well. That’s why they tell stories and show pictures to make you feel something right before they ask you, Hey, would you like to buy this thing you really don’t need?
And I’m sure it’s the same with your English.
Sure, with better English you can make more money, get a raise, or a better job,
But it’s what you can do with that money that makes you feel something. And then take action and do the work required to improve your ability.
Some things my students have told me they’ll do with more money are:
- move to another country (adventure)
- help their kids with their English homework (love)
- pay for a private school for their kids (responsibility)
- buy a better car (attract the oposite sex)
So the lesson here is, whenever you feel unmotivated, whenever you don’t feel like practicing or using your English, find the emotion. Pause for a second, and imagine how your life will be different with better English. Actually see it in your mind. Hear what people will say about you. And feel it.
Then see if that doesn’t motivate you to do some more English.