I'm not sure about you, but there are moments when I feel less than stellar. On those days, I'm down, grumpy, fed-up, and bored, and I'm probably not the finest company. The truth is, days like that are a necessary part of being human — they are not optional. You will have bad days no matter how hard you try, and that's alright.
But what if you have a run of those off-days that lasts weeks, months, or even years? While we tell ourselves we are in a rut, bored, or fed-up, we acknowledge that we do not know what to do to change. That is the issue; when you are stuck in a rut, you lack the energy or drive to make positive changes, and it is difficult to have the insight or resources necessary to make that leap.
Here are two enjoyable and simple strategies you can apply right now to climb, or better yet, leap, out of your rut and begin pursuing something greater for yourself.
1. Try something new and different.
Life generally runs easily when we develop systems and
routines for certain tasks, but the issue arises when things flow too smoothly
and we become oblivious to any ideas or decisions that deviate from our
pattern. Everything we do on a daily basis becomes routine, and it becomes our
entire world.
Begin by implementing one or two little adjustments to your
daily routine - whether it's your breakfast time, your gym routine, your
commute to work, or your lunch routine. Make a few basic decisions that will
serve you well. Don't stress about what the changes are or whether they're
correct or incorrect.
Something as simple as doing something differently or
changing elements of your routine immediately pulls you out of the ordinary and
helps you to shake off the things that keep you feeling constrained. Step away
from your routine and you'll find yourself in a position to make different
choices, view things differently and achieve a different outcome.
2. Consider Using Your Intuition
Your intuition is a valuable ally, and we all possess it,
even if we are unaware of it. According to the dictionary, intuition is:
1.a. The act or faculty of knowing or perceiving without
recourse to rational thought processes; direct cognition.
1.b. Information acquired via the use of this talent; a keen
insight.
2. A perception of anything that is not readily apparent or
deducible; an impression.
Your intuition is one of the most valuable companions you'll
ever have, and tuning into it and learning to trust it may have some pretty astonishing
results. Accessing your intuition is similar to training and strengthening a
muscle, although it can be more difficult to identify than a bicep or
quadriceps, which often remain in the same location. The following are some
simple suggestions for gaining access to and trusting it —
• Develop an attitude of curiosity, playfulness,
experimentation, and non-judgment. This is the most fertile place for intuition
to flourish.
• Experiment with wild assumptions in your daily life. Guess
the name of a salesman, the appearance of a new person or location, or who is
calling on the phone. Don't worry if you get it incorrect; you're simply
exercising that muscle.
• Incorporate a few straightforward observation activities
into your regular routine. Whether at a restaurant, on a train, in a bar, or
while out shopping, practice observing people' non-verbal conduct. Take note of
any changes in posture, eye movements, voice tone or pace, and so on. Assume
their emotions or the subject of their conversation.