In this solo episode, we tackle the age-old issue of falling into a rut. Whether at work or in our professional lives, we are bound to encounter ‘valleys’. Today we talk about how to recognize those moments and steps to take to work your way out. Check out the full episode here.
Here are some suggestions for getting back on track when you find yourself in a rut:
- Vision mapping – I use vision maps to help me remain focused throughout the year. You can create one by breaking your life into ‘buckets’ – things like career, family, friends, finances, spirituality, health and travel. Then you assign smaller goals in each of those areas. I keep the map in plain sight so I’m constantly reminded of where I would like to be by the end of this year, and I can redirect my energy to getting there. You can be as detailed as you like, the point is to create a visual representation of where you want to be.
- Set mini-goals – With any rut, the common feeling is that you aren’t making progress, and when you start to feel that way it can take a lot of energy to get back on track. I believe in setting small goals because it’s more likely that we’ll see results if we have manageable goals to reach.
- Shake up your routine – Do something different after work – if you always come home, throw on your comfy clothes and spend several hours watching tv, try going for a walk, or a long drive. A small shift in your day-to-day activities can help you get re-energized.
- Get back to what makes you happy – We don’t often hear that we should be completely selfish, but sometimes we need to be. Look for those activities that bring you joy and energy, because those are the activities that will yank you out of a rut and encourage you to keep going.
My book recommendation for this week’s episode is Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes shares the power of making small decisions to open herself up to the things that caused her fear and how her life changed as a result. It’s a quick read and I definitely encourage you to check it out if you haven’t already! I’d love to know how you break out of ruts, leave your thoughts below!
Rush Hour Mentor 