How To Get Out of A Rut? Change The Definition.

The dreaded rut. We all face it at some point (and several friends have shared they've been feeling it lately.) You too? Then read on.

Yes, it's depressing, yes, it causes anxiety, yes, it's demoralizing.  Yes, it downright SUCKS.  It is all of those painful, uncomfortable things. But what if it's also something else, something positive you may not have considered before?

Your "rut" is actually your guide - tweet this!

At its core, a rut is simply dissatisfaction with things as they are.  Your dissatisfaction is trying to tell you something. It's the fork in the road - a sign to change direction.

First things first. What got you here in the first place?  

THE 2 MAIN REASONS FOR A RUT

1. You're avoiding something (or, pretending not to know - mmhmm)

2. You don't know what you want

If you're avoiding something...

In all likelihood, this isn't the first time this issue has come up. It's just that suddenly (or gradually) the pebble in your shoe has become too painful to ignore. Face it and do what you (already) know you must. It won't go away otherwise. Worse still, the pebble will become a boulder - that lands directly on you. Ouch!

If you don't know what you want...

• Assess and re-evaluate your circumstance by writing a list of what's working and what's not working.  

• Read this article on 5 ways to figure out what it is you really want.

• Get spiritual and go inward by journaling, praying, or meditating. Answers always come to me when I apply a combination of these.

• Play to your strengths.  Here's a fantastic book to help you do so.

It May Take Time. In this world of instant gratification it's easy to seek a quick fix but as ruts go you may not immediately feel better.  Give yourself breathing room because self-beat only exacerbates and extends a rut.  

WHILE YOU'RE WORKING THINGS OUT...

1.  Feed your mind with inspiration - even if you're feeling uninspired. Energy is a powerful thing and as you begin to seek inspiration (inspirational websites, books, Ted Talks, events, music) the EXACT message you need to hear will find you.

2. Surrender. I don't mean give up, I mean give in to the present moment... the place where you don't know what to do and don't have an answer.  Frustration, anger, and avoidance are all forms of resistance - a rope that gets tighter and tighter the more you struggle. Stop struggling and just BE. The answer will come and this too shall pass (especially if you're actively practicing the above.)

3. Set a date.  This one may seem counterintuitive, especially if you haven't found your answers yet, but stay with me.  Declarations are as powerful as dynamite and they can be the spark your psyche needs to shift gears. A date is a goal post - something to aim for. Set one and I guarantee that 1. You'll instantly feel accomplished and 2. watch how quickly you and random occurrences in your life begin to line up.  I dare you!

If you use your rut as a guide and a tool to change it up, you'll create the opportunity to level up.

Think of this as time in the lab - you're cooking up something new.  You've got this!  

I love your feedback, suggestions, and thoughts! Comment below and share them with me. 

Until next time, keep living #thatconsciouslife!