Friday, August 6, 2021

Get Out of Your Rut

      There are times when we feel we can continue to do the same things in our life the same way every day and yet at some point we will produce a different result!  That’s just NOT going to happen.  It’s like watching the movie Titanic (the 1997 romance and disaster film by James Cameron) over and over again thinking that sooner or later the captain is going to figure out how to miss that iceberg and there will be a happier ending to the story!

     You know the type of person, or maybe you ARE that type of person who others “can set their clocks by” as the expression goes.  Your routine has become so well known to others that at times it seems they set THEIR life clock in tune with YOU!   If you feel like your life has become predictable, unfulfilling, and boring, maybe it’s time for a fresh start. Just remember deciding to make a change doesn’t mean you have to turn your life upside down, but it is an opportunity to stand back and revise your current way of life.  To get a new perspective on YOU and see if there are areas where positive changes can be made to improve your life and make YOU the best YOU there can be.  Whether it’s a lifestyle, location, or career change, there are some simple things you can do right now to get out of that rut and get some positive energy back into your life.

1.      Work out What Makes You Happy

     Have you ever sat down and ruminated about what makes you happy?  What lifts your spirits and puts a spring in your step?  What makes your heart sing and your energy levels skyrocket? Some people feel happiest out in nature, while others prefer sports or reading.  Maybe you love the arts or helping people.  Make a list of what makes you happy and take action so you can focus on bringing more joy into your life.  Here is a point I would like to stress:  I’m NOT saying that the world revolves around YOU and that only things that make YOU happy should be the things that your thoughts become completely focused on.  But you can give consideration to these things.  You may learn that doing things for others, making THEM happy, is the thing that makes YOU happy!

2.      Practice Saying Yes

     Most people are so busy with their everyday life that they don’t make time to get out of their comfort zone and do something different.  When was the last time you tried something new or challenging?  Be open to new experiences, start saying yes to yourself, and choose to do things that make you feel good.  Now let’s hold on to the reins for a moment.  In extending yourself outside your comfort zone you must be balanced and realistic!  You have to give consideration to your physical and financial limitations.  By no means am I saying that someone with certain physical limitations shouldn’t try to extend themselves.  I’m just saying be balanced!  Some have done unbelievable things with physical restrictions.  If you don’t think that is true just read some of the information the paraplegic Olympics at https://www.mobility-advisor.com/paraplegic-wheelchair-paralympic.html

3.      Make a “Stop Doing” List

     You’ve probably heard that making a “to-do” list may better organize our life’s activities.  But there is another list we may want to prepare for ourselves.  Once you start saying yes to the things that make you feel good, you need to practice saying no.  You need “a stop doing list”!  You’re probably well aware of the bad habits you’ve fallen into and the things you do that don’t bring you joy.  While there are some things you have no control over, see what energy-draining tasks you can eliminate from your life.  Write a list to remind yourself of the things you can choose not to do, and free up time for the things that make your heart soar.

4.      Declutter

     We have all been guilty of it at one time or another and perhaps, right now, you will find that you are guilty.   Most people have way too much stuff in their lives.  Look around you right now and see what’s holding you back.  Clutter includes spending hours scrolling through social media, limiting beliefs, and bad lifestyle habits as well as all that junk in the kitchen drawer and the garage.  One of my friends had so many “toys” in his garage that he had no room for his vehicle!  Only YOU can make such decisions concerning yourself, but by doing so you will find that your life can become a much happier experience.

5.      Say No to Fear

     There will be obstacles to your making changes that will get you out of the current rut that you find yourself in.  Perhaps the single most empowering thing you can do to get out of a rut is to walk away from fear.  Fear will stop you from taking risks, big or small.  It makes you too afraid to try anything new and holds you back from reaching your potential.  Fear can be our ally, but it also can be an enemy.  Learn to control the fears in your life and don’t let the fears control you.

     Make a commitment to yourself to take back control of your life and leap into a fresh start.  Just never forget there is a resistance that resides within us always trying to force us back into the rut from which we are trying to emerge.  We must control that force and not let it control us.  However, the biggest problem is we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER


THOUGHTFUL GEM

"You have choices in your life ---

make good ones!"


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