Skip to Menu | Skip to Content

El Patio Spanish

Spanish Language School

Photo credit: El Patio Student Adam Worland

Ah, January! It’s the time we pull our socks up, look in the mirror and say “Come on! You can do this! This year you’ll do it for real!”

I’m talking about goals. Goals are those measuring sticks we set down for ourselves with optimistic determination. Whether it’s to ditch a vice or two, get fit, accomplish a project or perhaps even to learn a language.

So, why do many of us reach December and realise we haven’t clocked the goals we set out for the year? Perhaps we didn’t even get close.

Many of us set out on these journeys with boundless resolve – only to reach a hurdle or two... and then give up.

What’s up with that?

Well, put bluntly, humans were built to limit their effort and conserve energy. Willpower alone is only useful for short, momentary bursts. It’s eventually going to break. And sooner than you think.

So how do we explain all these people who go on a run every morning, who seemingly never overindulge, or who are on to learning their third or fourth language – all those infuriating over achievers?!

It all comes down to creating and reinforcing habits that remove the constant need for concscious willpower.

Forming habits takes place in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. This part of the brain basically operates on autopilot. For an action to be stored in this section, it needs lots of repetition based on certain cues. When the habit has formed and the cue is presented to you, you’ll naturally complete the action without having to give it too much thought. This function of the brain is designed to conserve effort – it’s just a matter of tapping into it.

Alhambra, Spain by Victoriano Izquierdo

5 steps to build goal exceeding habits

1. It’s fine to have a lofty goal, but break it down into very bite-sized, specific goals

While it's great to have big aspirations, breaking your goals down into bite-sized, actionable steps makes them more achievable. You don’t need the whole path mapped out—just focus on the first few steps.

For instance, if your goal is to speak Spanish, you might aim to be able to hold a basic conversation by the end of the year. At El Patio, we’d say that’s totally achievable! But how to get there? Your first step could be simply committing to attending classes regularly and setting aside time for homework.

As you progress, you can gradually add new goals—study every day, watch a Spanish movie weekly, read a novel in Spanish, or even try to speak only in Spanish when you're around other Spanish speakers. The key is to focus on one step at a time, repeating the action until it becomes second nature. Only then should you take on the next challenge.

2. Stack the habit onto other habits you’re already doing naturally

Stacking habits on top of one another is an easy way to induce the cues that will form your next habit. So have a think of all the small regular habits you have – your morning shower, taking the train home from work, walking your dog, your pilates class, your daily coffee, whatever it might be – and try to use one of these to trigger the action you want to achieve. Maybe you listen to the News in Slow Spanish podcast while you’re driving to work, or you do your homework right after your Saturday morning walk. You might have your verb conjugations stuck on the bathroom mirror so that you can revise your conjugations each night while you brush your teeth.

3. Make the time and space, and remove any barriers that require willpower

Studying for 15 minutes a day sounds like quite a specific and achievable goal – but it’s not a habit. What about studying for 15 minutes after your morning coffee at the kitchen bench where you always have your coffee? Now that’s a habit! To do this, you’ll need to schedule time, have everything you need at hand, and remove any obstacles (like looking for a dictionary or your iPad). Perhaps keep your El Patio bag on a hook in the kitchen to remind you, or keep a pencil and an eraser in a kitchen drawer so you don't have to go hunting for them.

4. Make it fun and add some rewards

Let’s be real: humans are hedonistic. We seek pleasure and avoid pain. So let’s not make this self-flagellation. Find the way to study that brings you joy. At El Patio, we think in a group of likeminded people, laughing your way through mistakes and learning from an engaging and knowledgeable teacher is the easiest way to spark that joy. Our beloved students seem to think so too - between 70-80% of El Patio students return the following Term.

Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back and reward yourself too! Maybe it’s trying that new Argentinean restaurant, bingeing a Spanish series on Netflix or heck, even having a trip to Spain on the horizon! This will keep you motivated and remind you of why you decided to learn Spanish in the first place.

5. Jump back on quickly when you fall off

Guess what? You’re going to run into something that kills your momentum at some point. Athletes face injuries, writers get writers block. That's life! The difference between someone who speaks Spanish and someone who studied Spanish once upon a time is getting back on that proverbial horse. The journey is never going to be perfect. Perhaps you can’t face the homework right now, perhaps you need to go back a few levels – that’s all part of it! If you miss a day, or a week (or heaps!), don't beat yourself up – just jump back in as soon as you can, however you can. Consistency, not perfection, is what makes a habit stick.

Photo credit: El Patio Student Carlo Belfiore

How Long Does It Take to Build a Habit?

We’ve all heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit. While that’s true for some people, it’s not a hard and fast rule. In reality, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year, depending on the complexity of the habit.

The more you repeat the behaviour, the stronger the habit becomes. Eventually, you won’t have to rely on willpower at all—you’ll crave the action because it’s become part of who you are. And one day, without even realizing it, you’ll look back and see that you’ve achieved your goal—and you’re confidently speaking Spanish.

With these five steps, you’ll have the tools you need to turn your New Year’s resolutions into lasting habits. Remember: it’s all about starting small, staying consistent, and making the process enjoyable. When you do that, you’ll be well on your way to success. No more willpower required.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Each month we'll send you Spanish language tips, practice exercises, useful links, special offers and fun upcoming events.

View past newsletters

© 2025 El Patio Spanish. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Helmut Design | Manage | Terms & Conditions | Privacy