Language learning isn't easy, but it is simple.Most people are looking for shortcuts. And for good reason, because we've become accustomed to having all the answers to our problems with a simple Google search.But some things shouldn't require shortcuts, including learning a language.

Why Most People Fail At Learning a Language

One of the biggest reasons why most people fail at learning a language is not lack of innate talent, that they're 'too old', nor is it because there's a secret language hack.For example, getting in shape is a fairly accurate analogy to use to compare the process of learning a language. Most of us can't magically expect to have rock-hard abs by using the right app, pill, or workout routine, even though hundreds of companies like Jenny Craig try to convince us that we can.It takes dedication, accountability, and time. No, it's not the sexiest answer in the world, but it is the hard cold truth. And language learning is no different.Using language apps, books, and online videos can help speed the process up, and this is why most of us get paralyzed. There are just so many new solutions popping up in the market, that we get distracted into spending our time on all the sexy, but ineffective resources, thinking it's helping us when it's not.The question is, with so many solutions to learn a language, how do we choose the right one?

The Paradox of Choice

There's one thing that global leaders like Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates have in common: they systemize non-essential decisions.According to Barry Schwartz, having too much choice not only affects our level of happiness, it leads to making poorer decisions. This is what he calls the Paradox of Choice.

Think about the last time you had too much on your plate, whether it was a decision you had to make for your company, tasks to complete at work, or even what to order for dinner. It was likely overwhelming, tiring, and a poor use of your time in the end.This is why Obama only wears grey and purple suits, and Mark Zuckerberg wears the same style of shirts almost every workday. Instead of using up their cognitive efforts and willpower on the non-essential, they can make better quality decisions on things that actually matter.

Relating this back to language learning, ask yourself: are you feeling a paradox of choice on which solution is right for you?

Doubling down

Since each of you reading this will have different goals of why you want to learn a language (i.e. family, travel, career, hobby, etc.), we won't pinpoint the best approach for you.But we will recommend that you double down on one.

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."Abraham Lincoln

Instead of casually learning using 10 different methods, we can make the absolute most of one thing by going all-in. So how do you choose what to double down on?

The question we recommend asking yourself is: "What's the 'ONE Solution' I can use such that by doing it, everything else would become easier or unnecessary?"

This is a productivity strategy introduced by bestselling author, Gary Keller, from his book The ONE Thing, and you can apply this strategy to everything in your life.

For example, if your goal is to pass a language exam in the next 6 months, then you could double-down on using traditional language books to gain a better grasp of vocabulary and grammar in your target language.

If your goal is to use it for business, career, or simply to travel, you could double-down on improving your speaking skills by practicing with native speakers online or in-person.

While limiting yourself to just one method can seem restrictive at first, you should keep the power of exponential returns in mind, or simply: the domino effect. In short, the domino effect refers to a sequence of small successive events that can accumulate into massive events in the end.

Before you go, just keep this in mind...

No decision is ever final

If you're still facing analysis paralysis, just remember that no decision is ever final. By doubling down on one solution, you'll discover much faster if it was the right decision than if you were trying to learn using five different solutions.In the case that you were wrong, you can try something else. That's all there is to it.What's important is that you decide, and commit to doing it consistently before you try something else. Because by deciding not to decide, you're still making a decision.Let us know in the comments below what solution you've decided to try out, and how long you plan to testing it out!