Hi everyone, welcome back to the 5-minute English Practice.
As a new year begins, I find myself naturally slowing down and reflecting on what truly matters to me. Over time, I’ve realized that setting goals is no longer about creating a long list of things I feel pressured to achieve. Instead, it’s about choosing intentions that feel meaningful, realistic, and sustainable in everyday life.
In the past, I often started the year with very ambitious plans. I wanted to change everything at once, believing that strong motivation would be enough to keep me going. But experience has taught me that motivation is temporary. It comes and goes. What really lasts is a clear sense of direction and the willingness to take small, steady steps even when I don’t feel inspired.
One of my most important goals this year is to take better care of my mental and physical health. I’ve learned that constantly pushing myself without rest doesn’t lead to better results — it only leads to exhaustion. This year, I want to be more mindful of my energy, listen to my body, and allow myself to slow down without feeling guilty. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, moving my body regularly, and creating a calmer daily routine are small changes, but they make a big difference.
Another goal I have is to manage stress in a healthier way. Life will always have challenges, but I want to change how I respond to them. Instead of immediately forcing myself to push harder, I want to pause, breathe, and ask what I actually need in that moment. Sometimes the answer will be action, and sometimes it will be rest. Learning to recognize that difference is something I want to practice this year.
Personal growth is also very important to me. Rather than trying to learn everything at once, I want to focus on developing a few meaningful skills slowly and consistently. I’ve come to appreciate the value of deep learning — taking time to truly understand something instead of rushing just to feel productive.
This year, I also want to be more present in my daily life. I often notice how easily my attention moves to the next task, the next plan, or the next worry. Being present means fully listening when someone speaks, enjoying simple moments, and allowing myself to experience life without constantly being distracted.
Building stronger relationships is another goal I care deeply about. I want to be more intentional about staying connected with people I love — checking in, spending time together, and being emotionally available. At the same time, I want to learn how to protect my energy by setting healthier boundaries. Saying no is not about rejection; it’s about honesty and balance.
One goal that is especially close to my heart this year is continuing to develop 5-Minute English Practice. This project means a lot to me, because it’s not just about teaching English — it’s about creating a calm, supportive space where learners feel comfortable and confident. I want to improve the quality of the content, make the lessons clearer and more practical, and help more people feel that English is something they can enjoy, not fear.
I also hope that 5-Minute English Practice can reach more listeners this year — people who may feel shy, busy, or unsure about their English, but still want to improve step by step. My goal is to grow this project slowly and authentically, focusing on connection rather than numbers, and staying true to the original purpose of helping people practice real, everyday English.
Career-wise, my goal is not to work longer hours, but to work with more intention. I want to choose projects that align with my values and bring a sense of meaning. For me, success is no longer about being busy all the time, but about feeling fulfilled and balanced.
As I move into this new year, I remind myself that growth is not a straight line. There will be days when I feel motivated and confident, and days when I feel tired or uncertain. My goal is not perfection, but progress — continuing with patience and kindness toward myself.
In the end, my goals for this year are simple but deeply important. I want to live more intentionally, take better care of myself, grow steadily, nurture meaningful connections, and build something valuable through 5-Minute English Practice. If you’re setting goals this year, I hope you choose ones that feel honest and achievable. Small, consistent steps can lead to lasting change. Thank you for listening, and I wish you a new year filled with clarity, balance, and quiet progress.
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning (English) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflect | Verb | To think deeply about something | I like to reflect on my goals at the end of the year. |
| Truly | Adverb | Really; in a sincere or honest way | Health is what truly matters to me. |
| Setting goals | Noun phrase | Deciding what you want to achieve | Setting goals helps me stay focused. |
| Pressured | Adjective | Feeling pushed or stressed to do something | I feel pressured to succeed sometimes. |
| Intentions | Noun | Things you plan or want to do | My intentions this year are simple and realistic. |
| Meaningful | Adjective | Important and valuable | Spending time with family is very meaningful to me. |
| Sustainable | Adjective | Able to continue for a long time | Small habits are more sustainable than big changes. |
| Ambitious | Adjective | Having big goals or plans | She has very ambitious plans for her career. |
| Motivation | Noun | The feeling that makes you want to do something | My motivation is stronger in the morning. |
| Temporary | Adjective | Lasting for a short time | Motivation is often temporary. |
| Sense of direction | Noun phrase | Knowing what you want and where you are going | A clear sense of direction helps me make decisions. |
| Steady | Adjective | Slow but regular | Take steady steps toward your goals. |
| Mental health | Noun | Emotional and psychological well-being | Taking breaks helps my mental health. |
| Physical health | Noun | The condition of your body | Exercise is good for physical health. |
| Exhaustion | Noun | Extreme tiredness | Working too much leads to exhaustion. |
| Mindful | Adjective | Paying attention to the present moment | I try to be more mindful every day. |
| Guilty | Adjective | Feeling bad about something | I feel guilty when I rest too much. |
| Manage stress | Verb phrase | Deal with stress in a healthy way | Walking helps me manage stress. |
| Pause | Verb | To stop for a short time | Take a moment to pause and breathe. |
| Respond | Verb | To react or answer | How you respond to stress matters. |
| Personal growth | Noun phrase | Improving yourself over time | Learning new skills is part of personal growth. |
| Consistently | Adverb | Doing something regularly | I study English consistently every day. |
| Deep learning | Noun | Learning something deeply and carefully | Deep learning helps me understand better. |
| Present | Adjective | Fully focused on the current moment | I try to stay present with my family. |
| Distracted | Adjective | Not fully focused | My phone makes me feel distracted. |
| Intentional | Adjective | Done with purpose and thought | I want to live more intentional days. |
| Boundaries | Noun | Limits you set to protect your time and energy | Setting boundaries helps me stay balanced. |
| Fulfilled | Adjective | Feeling satisfied and happy | I feel fulfilled when my work has meaning. |
| Progress | Noun | Moving forward, even slowly | Small steps lead to progress. |
| Achievable | Adjective | Possible to do | Choose goals that are achievable. |
Use the correct word from the box.
(reflect – meaningful – sustainable – motivation – temporary – exhaustion – mindful – manage stress – present – progress)
Match the word with its meaning.
| A | B | |
| 1. Ambitious | a. Able to continue for a long time | |
| 2. Sustainable | b. Very tired | |
| 3. Exhaustion | c. Fully focused on now | |
| 4. Present | d. Having big goals | |
| 5. Boundaries | e. Limits to protect your time and energy |
Rewrite using the word in brackets.
Answer in full sentences.
✔ Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
✔ Exercise 2: Matching
1 – d
2 – a
3 – b
4 – c
5 – e
✔ Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Answer
✔ Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentence (Sample Answers)
Learn English in just 5 minutes a day. Simple, practical, and confidence-boosting English practice for real life.