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Are you in a proverbial life rut?
You know what I mean. You are doing the same old, same old, day in and day out, never getting ahead, never moving forward, just running in idle.
Does bored, tired, disinterested, lifeless, grumpy, complaining, blaming, irritable, self-pitying, mediocre, aimless and/or purpose-less, describe you or any part of your life?
Well you may be in a rut then, especially if you are just existing, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.
But don’t be surprised. You are not alone. There are a lot of others just like you stuck in a rut. They are the ones who want you to stay in the rut with them.
Why is that?
As humans we are creatures of habit. We tend to do the same things over and over again. We don’t like change, because change means the unknown and we are programmed to resist the unknown.
We are also lazy. We might just have to do something to get out of our rut.
“The great advantage of being in a rut is that when one is in a rut, one knows exactly where one is.” – Arnold Bennett, English Novelist, Journalist, Editor, Politician.
Being in a rut is safe. No worries. No problems.
NO PROGRESS!
Do we really want this kind of life?
No, none of us really want that. That is why too often, we look for the easy way out of the rut – gambling, buying lottery tickets, bad investing, numbing ourselves, etc. – the quick fix.
So understand this.
It takes a strong, motivating desire to climb out of that rut and move in a different direction, not the direction of the rut.
It takes courage to make the change, to leave the safety and security of the rut as well as the other ones who want you to stay behind.
It takes work to make it happen!
Whether it is your business or your personal life that is in a rut, you need to want to get out of it first. Once you have made that decision, then you can take the necessary action.
Basically you need to change your habits that keep you in the same old rut. Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results just doesn’t work.
So what can we do to change our existing “stuck in a rut” habits?
Well first you have to identify those habits that are keeping you in the rut. You have to be aware of what they are.
Here are 15 ways to help you get out of the rut:
- Stop wasting time watching television on a daily basis.
- Deal with work issues that should be delegated.
- Set new goals for yourself.
- Stop being afraid or feeling like you lack self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Get rid of bad habits. You have to rev your engine, release the brake and step on the gas!!
- Take a course to give you additional skills.
- Read a self-help or personal development book.
- Find a mentor and get advice.
- Exercise and work out more often.
- Change jobs.
- Do something scary.
- Meditate.
- Join a club.
- Attend networking events.
- Take dance lessons.
Do whatever it takes, start doing it today! Fill your day and you won’t have time to be in a rut!!
“Don’t get so stuck in your ways that you can’t change.” – Sam Walton, Entrepreneur, Founder of Walmart.
We all know life is short and the last thing we want written on our headstone is something like, “Here lies John/Jane Doe – Master of Life in a Rut”.
So make a decision to get out your rut, today. Take action. Get help. Overcome your fear and self-doubt. Start living the life you deserve!
You will be happy you did!
“Growth is painful, change is painful but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” – Mandy Hale, Blogger and Author
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