I love Spanish and always wanted to speak it. I even took a couple of courses and could order food at the restaurant and wouldn’t get lost while traveling:) But I was not committed. I was merely interested.
Until 500 days ago in Mexico, I decided to learn Spanish once and for all and downloaded the Duolingo app. Fast forward to today, and I can speak decent Spanish—although I’m not yet fluent, I’m well on my way there.
Here are some takeaways to make any dream a reality, from language learning to writing a book, building your brand, and beyond:
Get clear on the goal and why you want it
Commit
Make the first baby step.
Focus on daily progress
Be Clear About Your Goal and Why:
Clarity about your goals and the underlying motivations is essential. When I decided to learn Spanish, I was clear about why it mattered to me—to fully embrace Spanish culture while traveling. Latin America, here I come:) This clarity keeps me focused and motivated, even during busy or lazy times.
Similarly, in personal branding, understand WHY you want to build your brand. This clarity will guide your actions and help you make daily choices.
Commitment:
Committing yourself and your goals is a game changer. Learning Spanish was a personal dream of mine for a long time, but the actual progress started to happen only after I fully committed.
In the same way, when it comes to personal branding, commit to sharing your story and showcasing your unique skills, experiences, and expertise.
Baby Steps:
Progress is made by taking daily small, consistent actions. Commitment to take 5 minutes a day will have an enormous compound effect. And in most cases, once you start, it will always be more than 5 minutes.
Like learning a language, building your brand requires continuous effort and dedication. Break down your goal into manageable small tasks, and just do it. It’s amazing how these tiny steps can accumulate into significant achievements!
Routine:
Like many, I used to say that I hate routine. However, I’ve realized that routines are the building blocks of success.
Apply this to your personal branding efforts—whether it’s creating content, networking, or enhancing your skills, establish a routine that supports your goals and allows you to make consistent progress.
Fun Fact:
Inspiring others by doing what you love can have a profound impact. 132 days ago, I was pleasantly surprised when my son started learning French and my husband began his Spanish language journey—all on their own. They saw my dedication and progress, and it motivated them to embark on their own language-learning quests. Remember, your actions and enthusiasm can inspire those around you to pursue their passions too!
Have you ever had something you wanted to do but have yet to actually start it? Start it!
p.s. By the way, if you ever wanted to learn a language, Duolingo is a very effective and highly addictive app:)
