Stop learning words

and start stealing identities.

Most people learn English as if it were a dictionary. They collect words, and their apps, notes and notebooks are full of words that they fail to retrieve when they are stressed. Is it you?

I don't teach my clients how to learn English. I encourage them to steal identities instead. But - easy to say, Michaela, right? What does it mean??

Let’s take a look at this phrase: I'm one step removed from ..

In Czech, you might say 'Jde to mimo mě.' It feels emotional and like you are avoiding something. In English, it sounds like a scientist observing as experiment. It'’s calm and logical.

A fortnight ago, I felt a bit weird and nervous about launching my Lab while preparing for a maternal role. 👩‍🍼 My 'Czech self' wanted to overthink every detail.

So, I switched. Instead of saying, 'I hope this works' (low-energy, logic-based), I said: 'I'm curious to see how this experiment turns out.'

And it worked! The feelings are still there, but now it's just another data point. The words you choose literally define the boundaries of your world. 🌏

When you steal the right chunks of English, you are becoming a version of yourself that, for example, handles pressure better.

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Now practically: Think about a situation that feels difficult or stressful in Czech right now. Maybe it’s a difficult conversation or a big project.

Ask yourself: How would your approach change if you had to handle this in English, adopting that logical, 'one step removed' persona? Would you be bolder? More patient? Or would you simply be quieter? English isn't just a language. It’s a second chance to react differently.

Let me know in the comments.

→ What is one thing that feels lighter or easier when you think about it in English?