Watch Your Words While In Your Rut

When you are in a rut, what comes out of your mouth is a pretty good indication of your state of affairs. 

If you are at the stage where you find yourself saying things like "I want to die" or "I don't want to live.", then this is a red flag for you to take action. At this point you are suffering from depression and, in my notional estimate, around 5% into suicidal territory. 

Take a break from what you are doing save for the things that are urgent and important which must be done soonest possible or there will be dire consequences. 

Once these crucial matters are settled, then make sure you go and get some rest and recreation. For example, take a catnap after lunch, treat yourself to a nice meal, leave the office soon after official hours, go for a run / swim, hit the gym, etc. 

Do something that you enjoy apart from work and let your body recharge and regain holistic perspective of life and the situation that you are in. You will know that you are at the very least on even keel again when your self-talk or the messages that your heart tells your brain is no longer negatively toxic.

Remember, when Winter (sorrow) comes, Spring (zest) will not be far away. Pay attention to what is coming out of your heart onto your lips and know that you can take charge and steady the boat of your life to live and fight the battle of another day, the next and next, next, next. Soldier on. Don't give up.

"Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work." -- Ralph Marston

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward." -- Amelia Earhart 

"You don't have to work for Google, or any of the other firms encouraging staff to pursue personal projects on company time, to use slowness to unlock your creativity. Anyone can do it. Start by clearing space in your schedule for rest, daydreaming and serendipity. Take breaks away from your desk, especially when you get stuck on a problem." -- Carl Honore

Pivot In Your Rut

If you are really in a rut, all is not lost. Just as in basketball, when you gain possession of the ball you have options even in the face of daunting opposition or seemingly insurmountable challenges. 

You can pivot by stepping with your non-pivot foot in any direction while ensuring that your pivot foot stays in contact with the court and does not move laterally. Alternatively, you can pass the ball, shoot the ball, or dribble the ball.

For this post, I would recommend that you catch some inspirations, remove the lid off your set thinking and gain fresh perspective or insights by reading this series on Better Know a Young Millionaire.

"Challenge is the pathway to engagement and progress in our lives. But not all challenges are created equal. Some challenges make us feel alive, engaged, connected, and fulfilled. Others simply overwhelm us. Knowing the difference as you set bigger and bolder challenges for yourself is critical to your sanity, success, and satisfaction." -- Brendon Burchard

"To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It's not about winning and losing; it's about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge. It's about embracing the pain that you'll experience at the end of a race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge." -- Summer Sanders

Are You In A Rut?

Self-awareness is a first step to getting out of the rut. Do you find yourself doing the same thing repeatedly and feeling none the wiser as to why things have not improved for you? Do you feel trap in your current situation and lacking a clue as to how to get out of it?

If the answer is "Yes", then you are on the right path as you are now on this blog and taking a step forward to unravel your current situation which is sucking the life out of you; draining your energy and dampening your dream for a greater life. 

Knowing the sinking-feeling situation you are in and that you can find help is crucial to getting out of the rut. Do not be like the proverbial frog in a pond. When the water temperature rises, the frog feels a little discomfort but brush it off as oh-it's-nothing. 

When the temperature rises even higher, the frog complains and frets but still lack the drive to get out of his familiar pond. Alas, when the heat turns up higher still, our dear frog no longer has the strength to move and make the leap to safety as its situation has boiled over, so to speak.

Step outside and take a long and hard look as to whether you are really in a rut. Give your 'rut' some clinical time. Sometimes it could be that you have not been getting enough sleep for a protracted period of time and this has hindered your cognitive skills to solve problems and make sound decisions, thereby making you feel like you are in a rut.

Or, you could have been affected by the death of a loved one or undergoing turmoil in a personal relationship which, in turn, have impaired your ability to think clearly and move forward confidently. 

Yes, it could even be a case of bad morning coffee -- where the coffee is too strong for your physiology and it either knocks out or chokes up your brain for the entire morning or day.

You need to examine the circumstances surrounding your 'rut' before you can know for sure whether this 'rut' is the real McCoy.