The Biggest Obstacle to Improving Our Lives – Guest Post by Croix Sather

Everything was difficult for me when I first moved to Colombia, South America because I didn't speak the language.

I felt like the awkward teenager I once was was. And many of those childhood fears resurfaced.

Everything was difficult when I couldn't speak the language. Asking for directions, ordering food, and talking to anyone.

I took Spanish lessons everyday for a month studying 4 hours a day and learned enough to crudely get by. My brain was always tired from the mental work.

Every expert was once a beginner.

I am not fluent in Spanish yet. I often misunderstand what is being said. But I can speak in my second language well enough now.

I can speak to random strangers and understand them. Usually. Although I get lost with jokes and local phrases that have abstract meaning. 🙂

Just today, I spoke in Spanish for an hour to the guy next to me on the plane. I've dated women who do not speak any English. I can hold a reasonably good conversation.

I have thoroughly embarrassed myself many times. Like trying to say “stuffed animal” and accidentally saying “breast” (as in boob) instead! The words are similar but not that similar (peluche vs pecho).

“Tengo un ‘pecho' con el que viajo. Está en mi habitacion. Es un regalo de mi hijo para que no me sienta sola.”

“I have a ‘breast' that I travel with. It's in my bedroom. It's a gift from my son so that I don't get lonely.”

It's not surprising that people laugh at me sometimes! 😂

Still, it is part of the learning curve. I say and do some things wrong. It's part of the journey to becoming good at something. I try to laugh at it and learn from it.

Speaking a second language feels like a superpower. I am mesmerized by this ability.

It's been a life goal for me to speak another language. And soon I will be fluent.

In the beginning, I didn't like to speak in Spanish because I felt awkward. I even felt a little dumb because all of the 5 year olds could speak Spanish better than me.

But I didn't let that stop me for long. Little by little I spoke more and more. Eventually building my confidence. I am still a little shy at times and sometimes lack confidence when I speak, but I am gaining confidence and skill everyday.

I share this with you to remind you of something you already know.

You need to step out of your comfort zone to get the things you want in life. Most everything you want is outside of your comfort zone.

Single? Start dating again.

Broke? Cut costs and increase income.

Overweight? Exercise and portion food appropriately.

None of these things are easy to do in the beginning. If they were, we would all already be in an amazing relationships, rich, and have 6-pack abs.

Do whatever it takes to get to the next level of your life.

Do the thing you fear and the fear will eventually fade.

If you don't change and step out of your comfort zone then your life will stay the same and you dreams just a little out of your reach.

If you want life to change, then you must change.

Most people don't get past their discomfort to get the thing they want. Most people let embarrassment, discouragement, or comfort prevent them from even starting.

So they question you need to ask yourself is simply this:

“Do I want to be like most people?

Or do I want to do something amazing and making my life better?”

Thanks to Croix Sather for this guest post.