The key to learning any language is not ability, or money, or time, but motivation. There are probably as many unused language courses gathering dust as there are unused exercise machines!

While poorly thought out goals can only act as a barrier to learning, well defined goals, frequently revisited, and written large, are a great enabler.

So, why are YOU learning Spanish?

Is it because

* with about 400 million speakers, Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world (after English, Chinese and Hindustani), and probably has more native speakers than English?

* there are over 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States alone?

* it is an official language on four continents and of historical importance elsewhere?

* you want to keep your brain active?

* you know learning Spanish will be fun?

* you are planning to travel in Spain, or Chile, or Guatemala, or Mexico, or Uruguay, or California, or Colombia, or Argentina, or Venezuela, or Texas, or Peru, or Cuba, or Ecuador, or Dominican Republic, or El Salvador, or Honduras, or or Nicaragua, or Bolivia, or Costa Rica, or Puerto Rico, or Panama, or Paraguay or even Florida, Chicago or New York?

* or maybe, you just want to prove that YOU CAN!

Look for more possible reasons to learn Spanish at the Learn Spanish ASAP site (see resource box for link.)

To help supercharge your motivation try this simple sequence.

1. First be sure the goals you are setting are something you really want, and not just something that sounds good.

2. Next, be sure any goals you set do not contradict any other goals you may have.

3. Always phrase your goal in the positive - this help the subconscious mind to target the goals you are pursuing.

4. Specify your goal in as much detail as you can. You are not just learning Spanish. You are learning Spanish so you can communicate effectively with locals by a certain date. Or perhaps, to pass a particular exam with an A grade. Visualize yourself attaining the goal. How does it feel to have effortless conversation with an interesting local person? Will you frame that examination certificate? Imagine it in a gold frame. Again, you are programming your mind with subconscious instructions. Write it in the present tense - "I am enjoying effortless conversation in Spanish by Summer 200x."

5. Is your goal big enough? Is it a BHAG (Big Hairy Aggressive Goal) or just a little mouse of a goal? Think big.

6. Write that goal down. A 6x4" index card is ideal for this. Motivational guru Gene Donohue said that "The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word."

7. Avoid sharing your goals with others as any negative influences will harm your positive selftalk. Of course, if someone is on the critical path to you achieving your goal then you must bring that person into your confidence.

8. Review and revisit your goal first thing every morning and last thing every night to get your conscious and subconscious thinking aligned. Live the goal each time, using all the senses. Hear the language, smell the flowers, feel the
handshake and imagine the taste of the food.

Quote - "There is no achievement without goals" - Robert J. McKain

This article is part of a five part ecourse available at no cost at Learn Spanish ASAP! (see resource box) which specializes in providing
reviews and recommendations of top-rated Spanish courses, learning tools and techniques to help improve and develop your Spanish skills in the shortest possible time. It's essential reading for anyone serious about learning Spanish. Copyright Kai Chandler (#spasap162608)

Kai Chandler
www.learnspanishasap.com