Most of you know the feeling. Life has become monotonous and the situations you used to enjoy every day have become unbearable. You have forgotten the excitement of the way things were and you stay on this unsatisfying path because it is what you have become most comfortable with. This is exactly what it feels like to be in a rut. If you feel this way you may find it hard to believe that there are some people out there who are so wrapped up in routine that they don’t even realise they are in a rut, or perhaps they are just in denial. Either way the only way forward is to acknowledge that you are in a rut and then take the necessary steps to get unstuck.
How did we get to this point? For some of us it may have spawned from problems with friends or family. For others it might have been through unforeseen circumstances, perhaps the loss of a loved one or the end of a long term relationship. It is more likely however that you have been living on the same schedule for too long and you have simply lost sight of your goals.
In a rut - stuck in the mud
For me it started at work. I had successfully delivered a project and was very pleased with the results. But once a project is completed in my line of work it is not uncommon that the project idles in a state of maintenance where only the occasional upgrade is necessary. Needless to say, working on the same project for any length of time, be it months even years, would leave anyone feeling like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day. So at this point you would assume that if I was no longer growing in my role then clearly it’s time to move on right? But that is easier said than done.
Sometimes we don’t know where we want to be outside of the rut so we just stay where we feel secure. Other times we might be afraid to make a mistake which makes things worse than they are now. Unfortunately, it is also very possible to develop a subtle enjoyment of being negative. Living that way is just what you become used to and you may find that you spend a lot of your time focusing on the failings around you and not necessarily your own.
There are so many negative ramifications of being in a rut. On top of not reaching your full potential, you will likely notice changes in your behaviour and even your well being. You may become withdrawn from friends, colleagues and family. The physical manifestations include low energy levels, trouble sleeping, depression, a feeling of isolation; your general health may even be at risk.
One good thing — in spite of all this negativity — being in a rut might just be the catalyst you need to fuel change. So where do we go from here? How do we dig ourselves out? Stay tuned for some helpful information that will help you get over this rut.
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