Language Learning Magazine

Vocabulary Cards

6 Habits of Success · Intermediate

foundational adj.
Forming the base or essential part of something; basic and important.
Certain foundational habits apply to any definition of success.
Good sleep and exercise are foundational for a healthy life.
adopting v.
Starting to use or follow a new idea, method, or behavior.
By adopting these specific behaviors, anyone can improve their life.
She is adopting a new morning routine to stay focused.
chart a path phrase
To plan or map out a course of action toward a goal.
Anyone can chart a path toward their own version of success.
After college, he began to chart a path into the tech industry.
essential adj.
Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Setting goals is essential for success because it gives you a clear target.
Water is essential for human survival.
end goal n.
The final objective or result that you want to achieve.
You must clearly define your end goal and your “why.”
Her end goal is to open her own design studio.
underlying adj.
Basic or fundamental; the real reason beneath the surface.
Your “why” is the underlying reason that keeps you motivated.
Stress was the underlying cause of his poor sleep.
roadblocks n.
Obstacles or difficulties that slow or stop progress.
Your “why” will keep you motivated through roadblocks.
Lack of money can create roadblocks when starting a business.
self-discipline n.
The ability to control yourself and keep working even when you don’t feel like it.
Achieving goals requires self-discipline.
Self-discipline helped her study every evening after work.
distraction n.
Something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing.
Social media is a common distraction to success.
Turning off notifications reduces distraction while studying.
cultivating v.
Developing or encouraging a quality, skill, or habit over time.
Cultivating the right mindset is critical for growth.
He spends time each week cultivating new professional skills.
critical adj.
Extremely important or necessary.
Cultivating the right mindset is also critical.
Clear communication is critical in any team project.
thought process n.
The way a person thinks or reasons about something.
Their thought process about failures focuses on solutions.
Understanding a student’s thought process helps teachers give better feedback.
forward-thinking adj.
Focused on the future and open to new ideas and progress.
This forward-thinking attitude fuels continuous self-development.
The company is known for its forward-thinking approach to technology.
mentors n.
Experienced people who give advice and guidance to someone less experienced.
Successful individuals rely on mentors, audiobooks, and reading.
Young entrepreneurs often seek mentors in their industry.
beneficial adj.
Helpful, useful, or producing a good effect.
They often read or listen to something beneficial rather than scrolling.
Regular exercise is beneficial for both body and mind.
alternative n.
Another option or choice that can be used instead.
Audiobooks serve as an excellent alternative to traditional reading.
If the train is late, walking is a good alternative.
hand-in-hand phrase
Together; closely connected or happening at the same time.
Time management goes hand-in-hand with personal growth.
Hard work and patience often go hand-in-hand with success.
prioritize v.
To decide what is most important and deal with that first.
Successful people prioritize the most important tasks for their goals.
You should prioritize sleep if you want better focus during the day.
trivial matters n.
Unimportant things or small details that are not worth much attention.
They leave trivial matters for later so they can focus on big goals.
Don’t waste energy on trivial matters when a deadline is near.
regret n.
A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something you did or did not do.
The greatest failure is the regret from not taking risks at all.
She felt regret after missing the chance to study abroad.
resilience n.
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks.
Successful people possess resilience when facing challenges.
Building resilience helps children handle failure more confidently.
character n.
A person’s personal qualities, values, and moral strength.
They know that their character is formed in adversity.
Honest actions over time build strong character.
adversity n.
Difficulties, hardship, or a difficult situation.
Character is formed in adversity.
Many leaders say adversity taught them their most important lessons.
setbacks n.
Problems or events that delay progress or cause a temporary failure.
When they face setbacks, they refuse to quit.
Small setbacks are normal when learning a new language.
mentality n.
A person’s way of thinking or attitude toward something.
They maintain a “whatever it takes” mentality.
A growth mentality helps students improve after mistakes.
ensuring v.
Making certain that something will happen or is true.
Their mentality ensures they will always find a way to win.
Double-checking your work is a good way of ensuring accuracy.
passion n.
A strong interest, love, or enthusiasm for something.
True success is deeply tied to passion.
Turning your passion into your life’s work is a powerful goal.