Overcoming Obstacles | B2 English Listening
Overcome 4 Common Obstacles & Achieve Your Goals
Welcome back to another episode of the Peach Teach English Podcast! In this episode, I’m going to talk about a topic that affects every language learner—and really, anyone working toward a big dream: how to overcome common obstacles that block our progress.
Together, we will explore the four biggest challenges that stop people from reaching their goals—lack of time, burnout or boredom, self-doubt, and a tight budget—and I share real-world stories, mindset shifts, and practical tips to help you stay motivated and keep moving forward.
Whether your goal is to become fluent in English, get a promotion, start a creative project, or simply stay consistent with your studies, this episode will give you encouragement and action steps to keep going—even when life gets busy or discouraging.
This episode + transcript is ideal for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to build confidence, improve listening skills, and learn how to stay on track with their personal and professional goals.
Watch & Listen to the Peach Teach English Podcast:
📝 Episode 38 Transcript:
00:00 – Introduction and Today’s Focus
Welcome back to the Peach Teach English Podcast. I'm Frankie Mesmer, your host, and this space is dedicated to helping you go from intermediate to fluent English. Today, we're going to focus on improving your listening comprehension while also developing your vocabulary on the topics of achievements and challenges.
We're going to look at four common obstacles that many people face when trying to achieve new goals, real success stories, and tips to help you achieve your goals.
00:29 – Overcoming Time Constraints
So number one is time constraints and juggling priorities.
One of the most persistent obstacles that many people face is managing time while also juggling priorities.
Limited time often leaves us feeling overwhelmed—like there simply aren't enough hours in the day to tackle everything on our plate. Many of us aspire to get fit, master a new language, or boost our income, but we often find ourselves stretched thin. We're torn between work, household responsibilities, studying, staying active, and nurturing family relationships. Juggling all of this makes it challenging to carve out time for new hobbies, passions, or personal projects.
But the key is not to let limited time hold us back from pursuing our goals or reaching our full potential. With the right strategies, we can overcome these hurdles and keep moving forward.
For example, I started this YouTube channel a little over a year ago, and trust me—it’s incredibly time-consuming. Every episode takes hours: researching, writing scripts, filming, editing, creating titles, thumbnails, descriptions, keywords, tags, and then uploading and interacting with you, the audience. I'm not complaining—I absolutely love doing all of this—but I'm just saying that it is very time-consuming.
On some days, I spend more than three hours just handling some of these responsibilities. And on top of that, I run my own business. I teach four to six hours a day, give student feedback, plan lessons, and take care of all the admin and accounting as well.
Additionally, I try to make time for exercise. Of course, I need to eat and rest too. So yeah, I'm juggling a lot. But despite all of that, I consistently make time to create this podcast. Why? Because success on YouTube and with my content creation is one of my personal goals. More importantly, I want to show up for you—to help you reach your English goals.
You are depending on me, and I want to be here for you.
So the reality is, I don't have more time than anyone else. I've just made this a priority. We all get the same 24 hours in a day, right? But let's be real—not everyone uses those hours the same way. Honestly, we don't even get a full 24 hours. We need to sleep—ideally seven to nine hours a night—because let's face it, sleep is key to staying productive.
So that leaves us with only about 15 to 17 hours to actually get stuff done.
So where do you start?
First, figure out your priorities. What's at the top of your list? Maybe it's your job, which probably takes up a big chunk of your day. Commuting—that can eat up a lot of time. Working out to stay healthy, cooking or grabbing meals, hanging out with family, and of course, personal goals and projects. For example, like learning English or growing a YouTube channel.
What you need to do is grab a coffee or whatever you like to drink. Sit down. Be real with yourself. How much time do these things actually take? What's non-negotiable, and what can you cut back on—maybe move to another day?
Time doesn't just fall into place. You've got to make room for what matters most.
Here’s the deal: if you want to succeed, you've got to put your goals first. That means blocking out time in your week for them. Nobody’s perfect—if you slip up one day, no big deal. Just jump back in the next.
But here's something to think about: if you can't find the time for something, is it really a priority? That's a question only you can answer.
You can do the same with your English goals. The best part? You can start seeing real progress by studying just 10 to 15 minutes a day. Of course, you'll see faster results if you can dedicate 30 to 60 minutes a day. If you commit to eight to 10 hours a week to English, you can move from B1 to B2 in around six months.
So—is this a priority for you?
If so, start scheduling it into your week and keep moving toward your goal today.
05:20 – Staying Motivated and Avoiding Burnout
Now let's look at obstacle number two: staying motivated and avoiding burnout or bore out.
So guys, I want to talk about something a little different—and that is burnout.
We were looking at time management: if something is a priority, you need to make time for it in your life. But we also have to find that balance.
You see, I honestly can struggle with burnout too. I'm highly motivated to make amazing content for this channel, and I hope to monetize it one day—but sometimes I push myself too much. And the truth is, success shouldn't come at the cost of our health or happiness.
Right now, I'm reading a book called The Happiness Advantage. It's based on research in positive psychology, and one of its key ideas really stood out to me. Most of the time, science focuses on what's going wrong and tries to find solutions. But in this book, they study the people who are actually thriving. What are they doing differently, and what can we learn from them?
Here’s one of the biggest lessons from this book: we don't become happy after we succeed. We're more likely to succeed because we're happy.
That’s a huge mindset shift. A lot of people think, Once I get rich, then I'll be happy. Once I become fluent in English, I'll feel happy. Once I monetize my YouTube channel, then I'll love making YouTube videos.
But—uh-uh. That is not how it works.
The research says it's actually the other way around. If you enjoy the process—if you can find happiness in your daily efforts, when you find meaning in the journey—you're more likely to succeed. And naturally, we spend a lot more time in the journey than we do celebrating the success.
So it's very valuable to find your motivation and your meaning in whatever goal you're trying to pursue. And on top of that, this will help you avoid burnout—and something else we don’t talk about so much, which is bore out.
So guys, this is a concept from another book that I've read recently, called Hidden Potential by Adam Grant. I just finished it last month, and in it he explains the word burnout, which is when you work too hard and eventually it starts to have negative effects on your mental and physical health. And that one usually gets all the attention.
But for many of us, bore out is the real problem.
Why? Because you've lost interest in what you're doing. Everything starts to feel repetitive, tedious, and kind of pointless. And when that happens, motivation disappears.
So here's the question worth asking: Are you experiencing burnout or bore out?
If you're burned out, you probably need better boundaries. That might mean resting more, saying no more, or setting work hours that protect your energy.
But if you're bored with your goal—it feels like a chore—maybe it's time to mix things up. Try a new method, set a new challenge, or ask yourself: Is this goal still meaningful to me?
It's totally okay to make big shifts and create new goals in your life.
But for any goal you're chasing, knowing your why is essential. It keeps you going—especially on hard days when you're tired or discouraged.
For example, here's why I want to grow this channel: I love having a creative outlet where I can share my ideas and perspectives. I love that I get to help people like you improve their English and feel more confident.
And one day, when the channel is monetized, I'll be able to do this more often, reach more people, hire help to improve the content, and even create passive income so I can build a more sustainable life where I can travel more and continue growing my business.
That's my why.
So now I want you to ask yourself: Why do you want to learn English or achieve another goal that you have?
Really sit with that question. Write it down if you need to.
When you connect with your why—and remind yourself of it often—you’ll not only stay motivated, you’ll enjoy the journey a lot more.
10:01 – Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Negativity
So let's look at number three: imposter syndrome and negativity from others.
Sometimes burnout or boredom can hold us back, but another mental struggle many of us face is self-doubt—especially when we're trying to grow or improve ourselves.
One common example of this is imposter syndrome. Basically, this is the feeling that you're not good enough, not qualified enough, or not skilled enough to do something—even when that's not true.
You might think, Who am I to do this? What if people find out I don't belong here?
But here's the truth: this kind of thinking keeps us small. It doesn't give us a chance to grow—or even try.
One of my favorite quotes says, “Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.” That’s by Henry Ford. In other words: your mindset matters.
You're not an imposter. You're a learner. And learning means making mistakes, failing, and trying again. That’s how we grow.
Sometimes, though, that self-doubt doesn’t just come from inside. It can come from the negativity of others—people who don’t believe in us or who try to bring us down.
Here's a story from Hidden Potential that really stuck with me:
In 1944, a group of 16 Black men joined a special training program in the U.S. Navy. At that time, there were racist leaders who didn’t believe Black men could be officers. They made the program even harder for them, giving the men less time to study and openly doubting their ability to succeed.
But instead of giving up, these men used that negativity as fuel. They worked harder. They supported each other. And in the end, 13 out of the 16 passed—outperforming their white peers. They became known as The Golden 13, the first Black officers in Navy history.
So when people are negative, you can use that as fuel to push yourself to work even harder—because you want to prove them wrong. Because you know you are good enough, and you can do it.
And that really is the key.
People might say, You're too old. Your accent is too strong. You'll never be fluent in English.
But don't let their voices become your truth.
If there's something you want to achieve, you have to believe in your ability to get there.
So don't let imposter syndrome stop you. Don't let the doubts of others hold you back.
You deserve a seat at the table. Chase your goals—and trust that you belong.
12:54 – Managing a Tight Budget
So number four, the final obstacle, is having a tight budget.
Let’s face it—we're not all millionaires, and as we all know, money doesn't grow on trees.
Many of the goals we want to achieve might require some type of investment. Maybe you need study materials, a course, equipment, or even a coach. The good news? There are a lot of affordable options out there, and you can often find ways to move forward without breaking the bank.
But here's something to remember: cheap doesn't always mean better.
If something is truly important to you, making the investment might be what it takes to reach your goals in a few months instead of a few years. Now, that doesn’t mean more expensive equals better—always read reviews, ask questions, and make smart decisions. But don’t let the fear of spending money stop you from growing.
Where you spend your money shows where your priorities are—whether you want to get fit, monetize a YouTube channel, or become fluent in English. If it matters to you, then put your money where your mouth is.
Let me tell you a quick story.
When I first started this YouTube channel, I didn’t want to spend any money on anything. I spent hours watching videos on how to improve sound quality for free, how to remove watermarks for free, how to do everything without paying one cent.
But after just one month, I decided to upgrade to some paid tools. Not just because they were easier, but because they were faster and more effective.
Now I use a whole system of resources to help me create better content:
I subscribe to Descript—this helps me do subtitles, create better audio, and just have a smoother workflow.
I use Canva to design thumbnails and visuals.
I use VidIQ to help me create better titles, thumbnails, keywords, and SEO.
And I even recently hired a video editor so I could have more time for myself—and improve the production value of my content.
This doesn’t happen overnight, and I’m still not making any money directly from this YouTube channel. But I chose to invest in my growth because I know where I want to go, and I’m serious about getting there.
You don’t have to do the same. You can definitely keep using free resources and tools, and learn at your own pace. But know that—in my experience—the free methods took a lot more time, and the results weren’t as strong.
So if your goals require a financial investment, don’t see it as a cost. See it as just that—an investment in yourself. In your future success.
People spend money every day on dinners, new shoes, coffee—so why not invest in something that will actually change your life?
The reality is, we can succeed so much faster and go so much further when we have support and community.
The Golden 13 showed us that—they were stronger together.
If you want support on your journey to English fluency, you don’t have to keep doing it alone. I’m here for you. You can join my Conversation Club or 1-on-1 Coaching Plan.
All you have to do is book a free consultation to learn more at peachteachenglish.com, or click the link in the description.
If you’re not ready to invest in English yet—that’s okay. Keep listening to this podcast. It’s completely free. Be sure to subscribe and download the B1 to B2 Study Guide to follow along as I release new lessons each week.
16:59 – Conclusion and Final Tips
Whatever your goal is—becoming fluent in English, getting a promotion, or building a house—your first step is making it a priority.
Schedule time each week. Know your why. Protect your energy to avoid burnout or bore out. Silence the doubt—yours or other people’s. And don’t be afraid to invest in your growth.
I believe in you.
You can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Thanks for listening to this episode, and I’ll see you in the next one.
Achievements & Challenges Vocabulary Study Guide
The following vocabulary was used in this episode. These words and expressions will help you expand your vocabulary to help you reach B2+ English fluency. Listen to the episode again and underline the words. You can try to make examples with them so that you can add them to your long-term memory
Achievement – Something that has been done successfully through effort or skill
Challenge – A difficult task or situation that tests your ability or determination
Obstacle – Something that blocks progress or makes it harder to succeed
To face something – To experience or deal with difficulties
Achieve – To reach a goal or complete something successfully
Goal – A result you aim for or want to accomplish
Success story – A real-life example of someone reaching a goal or overcoming a challenge
Time constraints – Limits on the amount of time available
Juggling priorities – Managing several important tasks at once
Managing time – Organizing your schedule effectively
Overwhelmed – Feeling like there’s too much to handle
To tackle everything on your plate – To try to deal with all responsibilities
To aspire to do something – To strongly desire to achieve something
To master a new skill – To become highly skilled at something
To boost your income – To increase how much money you earn
To be stretched thin – To have too many responsibilities and not enough time or energy
To be torn between – To feel divided between different choices or responsibilities
Household responsibilities – Chores and tasks related to home/family
To nurture relationships – To actively care for and strengthen relationships
Challenging – Difficult but rewarding
To carve out time – To intentionally find time for something
To hold you back – To prevent you from progressing
To pursue goals – To actively work toward objectives
To reach your full potential – To achieve the best you’re capable of
To overcome hurdles – To successfully deal with problems
To move forward – To make progress
Time-consuming – Taking a lot of time
To complain – To express dissatisfaction
To handle tasks – To complete responsibilities
To run a business – To manage and operate a business
To take care of responsibilities – To manage duties and obligations
To make time for something – To prioritize time for it
To show up – To be present and committed
To make something a priority – To treat something as more important than others
At the top of your list – One of your most important priorities
To take up a big chunk of your day – To consume a lot of time
Commuting – Traveling between home and work or school
To eat up time – To use a lot of time (often unnecessarily)
Non-negotiable – Something that cannot be changed or removed
To cut back on something – To reduce or limit
To make room for something – To create time or space in your schedule or life
To block out time – To set aside time for a specific task
To slip up – To make a mistake
To jump back in – To restart after a break or mistake
To schedule something in – To add something to your calendar or routine
To commit to something – To dedicate yourself to a goal or action
To see real progress – To notice genuine improvement or development
To move toward something – To make gradual steps in the direction of something
To stay motivated – To keep feeling excited or committed to a goal
Burnout – Mental and physical exhaustion caused by overwork or stress
To push yourself too much – To work beyond your limits or healthy capacity
At the cost of – Resulting in the loss or sacrifice of something else
To thrive – To grow, succeed, or perform well, especially under good conditions
Mindset shift – A change in the way you think or approach something
To enjoy the process – To take pleasure in the steps, not just the result
To find meaning in the journey – To feel purpose in the process, not just the results
To avoid – To take steps to prevent or stop doing something
Bore out – Mental fatigue or frustration caused by boredom or lack of challenge
To lose interest – To no longer feel excited or engaged
Repetitive – Happening over and over in a dull or boring way
Tedious – Boring and taking too long
To set a new challenge – To create a fresh goal or difficult task for yourself
To make a big shift – To change your direction or focus in a major way
To chase a goal – To work hard to achieve something
To know your why – To clearly understand your personal reason or motivation
Creative outlet – An activity where you can express your ideas or imagination
To feel more confident – To believe in your abilities more strongly
Passive income – Money earned regularly without actively working for it each time
Sustainable life – A lifestyle that can be maintained over time without burning out or exhausting resources
To continue growing – To keep improving or developing
To connect with your why – To emotionally link with the reason behind your goal
Time management – The ability to plan and control how you spend your time
To find balance – To create a healthy mix of work, rest, and personal life
To struggle – To find something difficult or challenging
To monetize – To earn money from something, like a skill, product, or platform
Imposter syndrome – The feeling that you're not truly competent, even when you are
Self-doubt – Lack of confidence in your own abilities
Negativity from others – Discouraging or critical attitudes from people around you
To bring someone down – To make someone feel discouraged or less confident
To use something as fuel – To turn doubt, criticism, or hardship into motivation
To prove someone wrong – To succeed when others didn’t believe you could
To believe in your ability – To have confidence that you can achieve something
To deserve a seat at the table – To be worthy of having a voice, role, or opportunity
To chase your goals – To actively and energetically pursue your ambitions
To trust that you belong – To believe that you have a rightful place in a space
To outperform – To do better than others, especially when it’s unexpected
Tight budget – A situation where money is limited
To make an investment – To spend money with the goal of gaining a benefit later
To break the bank – To cost too much; to spend more than you can afford
Affordable options – Choices that are reasonably priced
Cheap doesn’t always mean better – Low cost doesn’t always equal good quality
More expensive doesn’t always mean better – High price doesn’t guarantee results
To put your money where your mouth is – To financially support what you say is important
To spend money on growth – To invest in self-improvement
Free resources – Tools or materials that cost nothing
Paid tools – Services or software that require payment
To upgrade – To improve or move to a better version of something
Production value – The overall quality of how something is made
Return on investment (ROI) – The value you get in return for your spending
To invest in yourself – To spend time or money improving your skills or future
To learn at your own pace – To study in a way that matches your speed
✨ Quick Tips & Takeaways from the Episode
1. Don’t wait for time— you have to make time for your goals.
“If you can’t find the time for something, is it really a priority?”
2. Success comes from happiness, not the other way around.
We don’t become happy after success. We succeed because we’re happy.
3. Mix it up when you’re bored.
Try new learning styles, change your routine, or set mini-goals to stay motivated.
4. Self-doubt is normal—but don’t let it win.
You deserve a seat at the table. Chase your goals—and ignore negativity from others.
5. Free tools work—but smart investments speed up the process.
Your time, energy, and money are valuable. Use them wisely to reach your next level faster.
✍️ Practice Prompts for Speaking & Writing
Use these questions to build fluency and confidence:
🗣️ Speaking/Writing:
What’s one goal you’re working on right now?
Have you ever felt burned out or bored while learning English?
What is your “why” for learning English or chasing another goal?
Is there a time you felt imposter syndrome? What helped you keep going?
Describe a situation when you had to overcome a time or money constraint.
What’s one habit you could add to your routine this week to stay consistent?
📚 Resources & Tools from the Episode
📱 Connect with Frankie
🍑👩🏼🏫 Peach Teach English Services
🎯 Want More Guidance in Reaching English Fluency?
This episode is part of my B1 to B2 English Fluency Series. Each episode helps you expand your vocabulary, improve comprehension, and speak with more confidence.
👉 Check out the full B2 Study Guide
