What to do when life gets hard
Though we define ruts differently, most of us understand the idea. A rut is a state of being from which we feel there is no escape. Ruts make us feel trapped and powerless.
People can live for years in ruts. Their working lives are characterized by a sense of meaninglessness and a lack of hope. Over time, it wears them out and leaves them wondering what their lives could have been.
Well, before you live any longer in a rut, let’s talk about how to escape.
- Take a personal inventory. Make a good/bad list regarding your present situation. List everything about it that is good and everything that is bad. This can be done for home, work, social environments, and even church!
- Analyze your gifts and abilities. You might need to enlist the help of a family member or close friend. Consider your hobbies, professional abilities, interpersonal skills, and interests.
- Give yourself permission to dream. This can be a stretch for some people, but there was a time in your life when you had unhindered dreams. Based on what you know about yourself, what would be a situation in which you could thrive?
- Introduce change. This can be as simple as traveling a different path, adjusting your daily schedule, or traveling to a nearby town that you’ve never visited.
- Set some personal goals. Goals can be personal, professional, relational, or spiritual. By setting goals, you’ll be more motivated to change.
You’ll never live your why from a rut. You have too much potential to settle for a mediocre existence. Knowing and living your why will propel you to a quality of life you never dreamed possible. And, as you begin to live your why, others will be encouraged to do the same! Think about it!
Why is it hard for people to escape their ruts? What would you say to someone who is stuck in a rut?
