Philosopher Bertrand Russell once wrote a set of “commandments” for thinking critically and living in a healthy democracy. They encourage curiosity, honesty, and open discussion instead of blind obedience.

I’ve paraphrased them into simpler language so they’re easier to understand and apply. Whether you’re debating ideas, making decisions—or just trying to think more clearly, these guidelines remind us to question, reason and value truth over comfort.

Here’s Russell’s wisdom—made more accessible for today’s readers:

1. Never be 100% sure that you are right.
2. Do not hide evidence to make people believe something—sooner or later, the truth will come out.
3. Never stop people from thinking—it will only make them think more.
4. If someone disagrees with you, even your family, try to convince them with reasons, not by using your power. Winning by force is not real winning.
5. Do not blindly respect authority—there is always someone else who will say the opposite.
6. Do not use power to silence ideas you don’t like—if you do, those ideas may silence you.
7. Do not be afraid to have unusual opinions—every accepted idea was once considered strange.
8. Enjoy intelligent discussions more than simply agreeing with others. Real understanding comes from thinking, not just saying ‘yes.’
9. Always be honest, even when the truth is uncomfortable. Hiding the truth will only make things worse.
10. Do not envy people who seem happy but live in ignorance. Real happiness comes from wisdom, not from ignoring reality.

If you had to follow just one of these commandments for the next week, which would it be? Try it out and see what happens!

Let me tell you why it’s okay if it doesn’t…

Here’s what most people assume about me:

1. I’ve mastered every aspect of English (since I teach it).
2. I never make mistakes in other languages.
3. My clients always see results immediately.

But let’s talk about the reality:

1. When I first started learning German, I kept confusing der, die, das for months. (Seriously, it still trips me up sometimes.)
2. A client once asked me a grammar question so specific, I had to say, “Give me a second to double-check.” Even trainers don’t have all the answers on the spot.
3. A session I designed didn’t quite land with one group—I had to completely rework it based on their feedback. Now it’s one of my best resources.
4. I sometimes overthink my own emails to clients (yes, even I second-guess if “Kind regards” is the best choice or not).
5. I wrote this post after wondering if I’m explaining things too simply—but then I remembered simplicity is key when learning a language.

Here’s the thing:

The clients who thrive don’t look for “the perfect English speaker.”

They look for someone who’s been through the process, who understands how language learning actually works. Someone who knows what it feels like to struggle and who can guide them through it.

Remember this:

Mistakes are proof you’re learning. Every time you mix up “on the table” and “at the table,” or spend 15 minutes trying to phrase an email, you’re improving.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

So, here’s your reminder: Be kind to yourself while learning.

P.S. Do you ever feel like your emails in English could be better? Write and tell me about it. I’d love to share some tips. 😊

Learning English can feel like walking through a minefield of grammar traps, spelling disasters and mixed metaphors.

This hilarious YouTube video captures it all: a group of English learners bonding over their shared struggles—and throwing in some brilliantly chaotic language mistakes.

One student “can’t spill to save his loaf,” another struggles with “emphasis on different parts of the sentences,” and a speech therapist (yes, really!) can’t “spike properly.”

From mixing metaphors (“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t eat it too”) to vocabulary mishaps, this video perfectly shows how messy and funny learning English can be.

But underneath the laughs, there’s a great lesson: we all make mistakes, and that’s okay.

What matters is the willingness to keep learning—and to laugh at ourselves along the way.

Watch the video and tell me: which English mistake made you smile the most?

PS The woman mixed two idioms.

1. ”You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”
2. ”You can’t have your cake and eat it too”

Mastering English doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about showing up consistently, even when you don’t feel ready or motivated.

Think of it like going to the gym: you don’t see results after one workout, but over time, your effort pays off.

Here’s the truth:

You don’t need to be fluent tomorrow. You just need to be better than yesterday.

Stick to the basics:

• Speak a little every day. Record yourself saying a few sentences in English or talk to your pet, your mirror or even your coffee cup. It feels silly, but it works.
• Make your mistakes proudly. Mispronounce a word? Use the wrong grammar? Great! Every mistake is proof that you’re trying—and learning.
• Practise what you already use. Have a meeting coming up? Prepare your introduction in English. Writing an email? Draft it in English first. Progress comes from working on the things that matter to you.
• Listen for progress, not perfection. Watch a short video in English, even if you only understand 50%. That’s 50% more than yesterday.

Here are some small, motivational wins to inspire you:

• Spoke up in a meeting for the first time in English.
• Ordered coffee in English while traveling.
• Sent an email to a colleague without double-checking every word.
• Listened to 10 minutes of an English podcast during your commute.
• Learned one new phrase today and tried using it in conversation.

Every step counts, no matter how small.

And remember this: You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be, as long as you keep moving forward.

What’s one small way you’ll improve your English today? Let me know—I’d love to celebrate your progress with you.