Sunday, October 9, 2011

How to identify a rut

By Jarrod Demeza


The majority of you know the feeling. Life has now ended up being lusterless and the things you used to take joy in on a daily basis are becoming unbearable. You've forgotten the rush and excitement of the way things were and you stay on this unfulfilling road since it is what you have become most comfortable with. This is just what it feels like to be in a rut. If you feel like this it may seem hard to imagine that there are many individuals who are so preoccupied by routine that they don't even realise they are in a rut, or perhaps they are really simply in denial. In any case the only way forward is to recognise that you are in a rut and then take the essential steps to get unstuck.

How did we all get to this point? For a few of us it might have spawned from difficulties with friends or family. For others it might have been through unexpected circumstances, possibly the loss of a family member or the end of a long lasting romance. It is more likely however that you have been living your life on the identical timetable for too long and you have simply lost sight of your desired goals.

Personally it began at work. I had efficiently delivered a project and was particularly happy with the final results. But when a project is completed in my type of work it is not unusual that the project idles in a state of maintenance where only the occasional upgrade is necessary. As you can imagine, focusing on the exact same project for any length of time, be it months even years, would leave anyone feeling like Bill Murray's character in Groundhog Day. Therefore at this point you might assume that if I was no longer developing in my role then clearly it's time to leave right? However that is easier said than done.

We sometimes don't consider where we want to be outside the rut therefore we simply remain where we come to feel secure. Other times we might be scared to make a mistake making things worse than they are at the moment. Regrettably, it is also incredibly possible to build up a slight enjoyment of being negative. Living this way is just what you become accustomed to and you may discover that you invest lots of your time and effort focusing on the failings surrounding you and not always your own.

There are numerous unfavorable ramifications associated with being in a rut. Along with not achieving your full potential, you will probably discover changes in your behaviour as well as your well-being. You could possibly grow to be withdrawn from friends, co-workers and family members. The physical symptoms consist of low energy levels, trouble sleeping, depression, a sense of seclusion; your general health could even be at risk.

A good thing - despite all of this negativity - being in a rut might be the switch you need to power change.




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