Do you know people that are stuck in a rut? If you don’t know anyone that has been stuck in one than quite possibly it has been you. I think we have all been there at some point, and quite possibly more than once. Well, my biggest fear on the planet (I’m pretty sure that’s a true statement) is to be in a rut…no growth happens in a rut, so certainly there is no fun and excitement when in a rut.
I use to get in to these ruts a lot way back when…but I’ve really tried to grab the bull by the horns and end the madness. I’m not saying I completely avoid them now, but I do far better today with it and am far better at noticing when I may be headed toward one. That may be the biggest struggle for many, they don’t know they are in one and once they do realize it they aren’t sure how to escape the shackles.
I have found that the best way for me to avoid them or escape them is to push myself…push my thinking, my comfort zones, and my own personal limits. The following are some things I have done in the past to push myself out of these ruts.
1) Exercise- run, go for a walk, lift weights…something that gets your blood moving!
2) Read a book- I will often try to find a book that will push my thinking, tends to wake me up.
3) Talk to someone- often times talking to someone about how you feel helps because you get it off your chest but also because that person may say the right thing to spark something in you.
4) Leave town- every one of us needs a break from the day in and day out from time to time, so leave town, it will change your brain.
5) Move- sounds crazy right? But I did this once, I moved out of one city into another…it worked, drastic, but it worked.
6) Quit your job- again, drastic, but did this once too.
7) Motivational quotes- this doesn’t work for everyone, but often times the right quote can light a fire.
8) Dream chase- that thing you’ve always wanted to do but never had the nerve or courage to do, give yourself permission and DO IT!! It reignites passion when you can do something like that.
9) Listen to music- much like the motivational quotes, listening to the right kind of music can really motivate you to do something…even if it only motivates you to do something for five minutes…that’s a start.
These are some things I have done to escape the dreaded rut, what about you? And is there a way to never enter in to one again? I think they are somewhat unavoidable, so the key is to notice them as quickly as possible so you can work to change things.
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