10 Ways to Dig Yourself Out of a Rut

Break Free.

The popular analogy of a car that’s stuck in a rut perfectly describes how we sometimes feel about life.  The stuck car spins its wheels but goes nowhere until someone gives it a push.  Despite all the power beneath its hood, the car is standing still.

When people get stuck in a situation that’s going nowhere, they’re just as stalled as that car.  They may be spinning their wheels, but they’re just not going anywhere.

How do we get stuck?

Getting comfortable is part of the problem.  A situation which was once good or bearable has become unbearable, but we stay with the unbearable because it’s familiar.  Changing this situation will require an action on our part – it may even require courage. Rather than taking on the challenge to change the situation, we remain stalled in place.

Some people don’t even seem to realize when they’re in a rut, or perhaps they’re in denial.  They spend months or even years only half-living their lives.  It’s as if they’re sitting on the side of the road while life passes them by.

Only by recognizing that you’re in a rut can you begin to take steps to get unstuck.  Don’t wait for a tow truck to just happen by – it’s up to you to initiate the changes in your situation that will get you back into the flow of life.

Here are some warning signs that you’re stuck:

•    Your energy level is low. All that wheel spinning can be exhausting.

•    You feel dissatisfied and frustrated. You have a very real sense of not going anywhere in life.

•    You aren’t enjoying things that are normally enjoyable. Instead of rolling down the highway with the wind in your hair, you’re up to your knees in mud.

•    Your daily life is a struggle. You find yourself struggling just to get through the day-to-day job of living and aren’t spending any time pursuing your dreams and doing the things you really love.

The big difference between humans and cars when it comes to being stuck is that humans can end up spinning their wheels forever if they’re waiting for a push to get out of their rut.  It’s really up to each person to realize that they’re going nowhere and do something about it.

Recognizing that you’re stuck is half the battle.

One you’ve come to that realization, here are 10 ideas for digging yourself out of your rut.

1.    Draw on your inner strength. Once you’ve done some soul searching and it’s become apparent that you’re stuck, it’s time to tap into your inner courage to make some changes.  Instead of focusing on your fears and perceived weaknesses, you need to realize that you have the power to see your situation differently and change it.

2.    Find your support team. Waiting for someone to push you out of your rut is never a good idea, but once you’ve decided that you need to make some changes you should identify the people in your life who give you positive support.  Let those people know about your plan for change and rely on them to give you little pushes when you need them.

3.    Seek a change of scene. A vacation is a great way to begin the process of digging yourself out of your rut.  Even if it’s just a weekend at a friend’s house, a change of scene will help clear your mind and give you time to refocus and think about your plans for the future.

4.    Suspend judgment. A mind that’s stuck will often find reasons to stay stuck.  As you search for ways to change your situation, avoid automatically seeing failure in new ideas.  Try to evaluate a new idea honestly by asking whether it will help you change, rather than assuming it will fail.

5.    One thing at a time. When you realize that you’re in a rut and that you need to make some changes to get out of it, focus on changing one thing at a time.  Life-changing alterations can be challenging, so don’t take on too many at one time.

6.    Listen to inspiring voices. There are scores of websites and books with a positive message out there.  Find some that speak to you and then spend time each day getting inspired by them.  This is a great way to lift you out of your situation and take your mind off your fears and negative thinking.

7.    Experiment with change. The way out of your rut may not be crystal clear.  Don’t be afraid to take some chances and experiment with different types of change.  There may be setbacks along the way, but in the spirit of true experimentation just learn from these setbacks and adjust your plan.

8.    Take time to renew your battery. Back to the car analogy again!  Seriously, it’s easy to get burned out if you focus all your energy on changing your life.  Remember to find time to do things that make you laugh and help you relax.

9.    Perfectionism is the enemy. Life is messy.  Aiming for perfection is a doomed proposition and can only lead to frustration and a feeling of failure.  Appreciate each step you take in the direction of increased productivity and happiness.  Don’t worry about perfection.

10.    Recognize your successes. Be aware of your small victories in getting out of your rut and reward yourself with a personal pat on the back.  Let your support team know about your successes and find time to celebrate with the people you love.

Here’s one more tip.  Daydreams and fantasies are a great way to explore your options for life changes.  The things we daydream about can end up influencing some important life decisions, either consciously or subconsciously.  You can fuel your daydreams by exposing yourself to new experiences.  Visit an art museum or gallery.  Read a book in a new genre.  Listen to a different type of music.  Explore new varieties of food.  Unleash your imagination in your daydreams and fantasies.

Be guided by these words from Kahlil Gibran,
“Yesterday is but today’s memory, tomorrow is today’s dream.”

What do you do to get out of a dreaded rut in your life?