You know the feeling, it can take shape in many forms. Often times a rut means not making a decision, inactivity for long stretches of time that go well past relaxing. As a matter of fact being in a rut fills you with anxiety-you know you need to do something but you just can’t make it happen. It happens to all of us from time to time and to varying severity. With that said, there is good news, if you’re reading this then you obviously want to change and have taken the first step toward that goal.
Believe it or not some people don’t want to break out of whatever rut is holding them back. It provides safety and an excuse not to be great.
Below, I’ve listed 9 ways I have gotten out of a rut many times. I hope these can help you as well.
1. Organize your office , house, and car.
Yes all of them. Sometime when you have everything messy you’re so overwhelmed you don’t know where to start. Having a clean workspace will help you focus on what needs to be done. Which brings me to my second point.
2. Make a list of what you need to do.
This one has always helped me out a lot when I’m feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated. Make a massive list of every single thing you need to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s personal, professional, financial etc.. just write it down and things on paper rather than twirling around in your head.
3. Clean everything.
You’ll probably due this along with #1. It may sound lame, but I have found that a good spring cleaning (just don’t wait til spring to do it) will lift your spirits and motivate you do something different.
4. Buy some new clothes.
There is nothing like going out and buying a new outfit. It helps with self image and boosts confidence. Besides it helps you get out of the house.
5. Do something radically different.
For example if you have never been to church, go and sit in one for a sermon or mass, visit a Hindi temple or a Jewish Synagogue, anyone of those. The point of this exercise is to get you to experience something other than the mundane dull routine you’ve built for yourself which is what probably got you into a rut in the first place.
6. Exercise vigorously
This is probably the most obvious one, but many people won’t do it because they don’t like going to the gym, or don’t like working out etc…Personally I work out in my garage and go for a run in the neighborhood. I’ve done the gym thing and didn’t like having to wait for people to finish their sets. Find what works for you and do it. If you’re new to working out, stick to it for 30 days, that is the amount of time the human mind/body takes to form a new habit.
7. Visit an old friend
There’s nothing that will get you out of a rut faster than visiting with an old friend and catching up. It’s easier to do now than ever before with Facebook. Just look them up and friend them!
8. Volunteer or do charity work
It doesn’t have to be a soup kitchen or anything really involved (unless you want to). But the thing most people don’t realize about being in a rut and feeling sorry for yourself is that self-centered is very often the root of being depressed, in a rut, or feeling sorry about yourself. Going out and doing something for someone without expecting anything in return will often yield a great personal benefit.
9. Stop thinking and start acting
One of the biggest reasons we wind up in a rut is because we start thinking about everything so much. So, I suggest you simply start doing and stop thinking. If you have been thinking about something, just do it, don’t give it a second thought. It may mean starting your way towards a degree in nursing and having a more promising career. Remember, our minds are the ones that create a rut, our lives aren’t.
You have the power over your mind and your body. The difference between people that succeed is that they act, even when they fail they pick themselves up again and go at it.
Stop thinking and start doing. Now!
If you found this helpful, please share it below. Thank you!
Loading ...
