Advanced English Conversations (2) - Robert Allans, Matt Edie, A. Mustafaoglu 2020

Set 15 - I just feel I can’t stick it out

Clare: I wish I could come up with some way to stop myself from running away from the intimidating and daunting tasks I have to complete. I just feel I have no staying power to stick it out.

Bianca: Neither do I. I do struggle with this very issue. I tend to put stuff off and procrastinate, too. I’m trying to change that habit by doing dull tasks first in the order of my list! And I’m making some progress, I suppose.

Sean: You guys need some excitement. Just try to be curious and observe the feeling of intimidation. What makes you intimidated? What tools can you use to help yourself cultivate confidence? What emotions are encouraging these thoughts of intimidation? Don’t judge, simply observe and nip it in the bud. This is a proven technique that can go a long way towards achieving heavy-going tasks.

Diana: You might consider trying this one. My director gives herself a very special reward for staying and she’s always stimulated enough to stay the course.

Clare: Bingo; that’s well worth trying.

Vocabulary;

come up with: to bring forth, discover, or produce

intimidating: (adjective) making you feel frightened or nervous.

staying power: the ability to maintain an activity or commitment despite fatigue or difficulty; stamina.

stick it out: to endure, tolerate, or last through to the end of something.

put off: to delay doing or dealing with something; to procrastinate.

dull: (adjective) lacking interest or excitement.

cultivate: try to acquire or develop (a quality or skill).

nip (something) in the bud: to put an end to something before it develops into something larger.

proven: (adjective) demonstrated by evidence or argument to be true or existing.

go a long way: to be very useful or helpful.

stay the course: to hold or persevere to the end.

Bingo: Exactly! That's right!

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. Dr. Peter .......... up with a cure for the disease after three years of constant research.

2. She was remarkable for her .......... power, energy, and determination.

3. Cawley received an .......... letter from her ex-husband's lawyer.

4. Estonia has done much to .......... the friendship of western European countries.

5. Despite an early setback in the first half, the home team stayed the .......... and managed to earn a draw.

6. .......... — that's it! He's been lying to us the whole time!

7. His life seems very .......... and alternates between work and sleep.

8. Through experiments, the method is .......... to be with relative high precision on three-dimensional image.

9. Don't do anything rash—patience will go a .......... way toward bringing you allies in this situation.

10. I've noticed that Tommy's getting in the bad habit of chewing with is mouth open. Let's .......... that in the bud.

11. If you .......... off getting car insurance, you could wind up in jail if you get in an accident.

12.......... We've had problems in our marriage for years, but we've been .......... it out for the kids' sake.

1. came 2. staying 3. intimidating 4. cultivate 5. course 6. Bingo 7. dull 8. proven 9. long 10. nip 11. put 12. sticking