If you don’t do this first.

Trying to learn another language without clearly answering the question:

Why do I want to learn it?

…is a waste of time.

Maybe it’s for your résumé, traveling, networking…

But maybe it isn’t.

Lots of people ask me why I wanted to be a polyglot.

It sounds nice to say I wanted more knowledge and to help my students — and that’s true.

But there’s another reason too:

I wanted to be badass. Do what few can.

To be able to say: “Look at what I achieved… crazy.”

Screw the “That’s selfish…” If it moves you, it’s valid.

Today I want to help you find that: your true why.

Once you do, you’ll become unstoppable.

Let’s go.

You need a reason, but not just any reason.

It must be deeply tied to who you are.

Shallow reasons won’t last.

“I want to travel.”

“I want to get promoted.”

“I think it’d be cool.”

These might spark curiosity.

But they won’t carry you through when things get hard.

Because language learning is not a straight path.

You will hit boredom.

You will feel lost.

You will doubt yourself.

And in those moments, only one thing will keep you going:

A purpose that goes beyond you.

One that’s rooted in your identity.

Your calling.

Your vision of who you are becoming.

Here’s what happens when your reason is surface-level:

You may study for a few weeks.

Then you’ll skip a day.

Then two.

Then a week.

And you’ll tell yourself, “Maybe now’s just not the time…”

But the truth is:

Your why wasn’t real enough.

If you want lasting habits, especially something as demanding as a new language…

They must grow from your identity.

You act based on who you believe you are.

Your identity → shapes your actions.

Your actions → shape your learning.

Your learning → shapes your future reality.

It all begins with how you see yourself.

Josh Barnett, professional wrestler and MMA fighter said it best in his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast (Episode 1503, at 16:31 on YouTube):

“Everything that you do should be in worship to the ideal you’re trying to create.”

It means your daily habits, even the “small” ones, are not random.

They are either aligned with your ideal…

Or they’re pulling you away from it.

So if your ideal is to become someone who connects cultures…

Who spreads a message…

Who helps others…

Then learning a new language becomes sacred.

It’s not a task, it’s an offering.

Now let’s go even deeper.

Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, neurologist, and the author of Man’s Search for Meaning went even deeper:

“By declaring that man is responsible and must actualize the potential meaning of his life, I wish to stress that the true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche, as though it were a closed system. I have termed this constitutive characteristic ‘the self-transcendence of human existence.’ It denotes the fact that being human always points, and is directed, to something, or someone, other than oneself—be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. The more one forgets himself—by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love—the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.”

Frankl is telling us that meaning doesn’t come from looking inward forever.

Meaning comes from pointing outward.

Toward a cause.

Toward a mission.

Toward someone to serve.

Language learning becomes powerful when it is tied to this kind of meaning.

When it is not just about “you” improving yourself…

But about what you’re becoming in service of something greater.

That’s when the habit sticks.

That’s when you push through burnout.

That’s when you go beyond.

So let’s make this practical.

Here’s a roadmap to help you discover how the language you want to learn connects to your life’s calling:

Step 1: Define Your Calling

Ask yourself:

• Who am I becoming?
• What kind of world do I want to build?
• Who do I want to serve, protect, or reach?
• What would I do even if it took 10 years and no one noticed?
• What breaks my heart enough to make me act?

You are not born to binge Netflix and memorize grammar rules.

You are here for something.

Step 2: Name Your Ideal

Write it down like a mission statement.

Something like:

“I am someone who brings people together across cultures.”

“I am a voice for the voiceless.”

“I am a healer who listens deeply — even across borders.”

“I am a creator whose words will travel the world.”

This is the ideal you worship.

The one Josh Barnett is talking about.

Every day, your actions become a form of devotion.

Step 3: Link the Language to the Mission

Now ask:

• What language do the people I want to serve speak?
• What country or culture is part of my ideal future?
• What knowledge or community is locked behind this language barrier?

If your calling is to share ideas — maybe it’s English.

If it’s to work with immigrants — maybe it’s Spanish or Arabic.

If it’s to explore spiritual wisdom — maybe it’s Hebrew, Sanskrit, or Latin.

Make the connection obvious and emotional.

Step 4: Build Your Identity

Say:

“I’m not learning [language].

I am a communicator.

I am someone who crosses bridges, not builds walls.

This is just who I am now.”

Identity first. Fluency follows.

Step 5: Make Every Action Worship

Yes — worship.

Because if it’s sacred to your mission, you’ll treat it that way.

You won’t skip days.

You won’t fear mistakes.

You won’t give up when progress is slow.

Why?

Because you know what you’re building.

You are not memorizing vocabulary.

You are actualizing your potential.

Every session of practice.

Every word you memorize.

Every conversation you attempt…

…it’s all worship to the ideal you’re creating.

Not just grammar.

Not just vocabulary.

Devotion.

Because you know what’s at stake:

The life you’re here to live.

The people you’re here to impact.

The story you’re meant to write.

This is not about languages.

It’s about becoming the version of yourself you know you were meant to be.

And using every tool, especially language, to get there.

So don’t start with a textbook or an app.

Find your why.

Tie it to your calling and then move forward.

That’s how you become unstoppable.

Every word you learn is a brick in the cathedral of your future.

So build it for someone beyond just yourself.

Let that be your path.

Let that be your power.

Let that be your why.

You’ve got this, my friend.

References:

• Episode 1503 from the Joe Rogan Experience podcast with Josh Barnett.
• Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”.