Are You Stuck in a Rut

Are you one of those people that often remark how fast time has flown by?

Do you find yourself wishing the time would pass quickly so you can enjoy your upcoming vacation?

Have you ever had a hard time remembering something you did the previous day?

Yes, I do realize that some of these are things that happen as we get older and have more responsibility but have you ever considered that it could be something else?

Maybe you’re stuck in a rut.

If you’re reading this book, you probably have a goal you’d like to accomplish or plans you’d like to execute. You know you need a push but you may not be sure what kind of push you need. Or you may know what kind of push you need but not how to get it.

I recognize that feeling. I’ve felt it myself. It can be isolating and frustrating. It can also seem like it’s your fault that you need this push. 

Yes it is your job to take the steps to fulfill your destiny but sometimes the day to day details of life can become overwhelming. As we get older, we begin to realize that while pursuing our dreams is important so is becoming a responsible adult. You may find yourself with a job, family and household to run or take care of and those daily tasks take time. In fact, they can take up all of your time without you realizing it. They’re all important. You can’t NOT do them. You don’t have that option. 

What typically ends up happening in these situations is that we put ourselves on the back burner. We sacrifice our need to pursue our dreams in favor of doing what is expected of us. If possible, we honor our need for time to focus on ourselves to those moments when we’re not being called upon to handle daily tasks. For some people this time can quickly dwindle down to nothing.

As we age our responsibilities tend to increase. It feels self-indulgent to take time away from what you should be doing to do something you really want to be doing. So rather than being “selfish” you put your head down and take care of your responsibilities. Then when you look back up three years have passed by.

This is one of the prevailing reasons why people don’t actively pursue their dreams, even if only occasionally. It feels selfish and it’s wrong to be selfish especially if you have other people to take care of. But is it really wrong to be selfish?

Is it really wrong to do something for yourself? Does that actually make you selfish?

Let me be very clear. I’m not saying any of this to encourage you to shirk your daily responsibilities. Your daily responsibilities are important. For many of us they’re necessary for proper survival. If you don’t work, your family doesn’t eat. This counts even if you have a family of one. Your family has some basic needs that you have to maintain like nourishment, shelter and clothing.

I get it. I don’t want you to think that I’m writing this book to spout beliefs that are based on me living a life of privilege. I’ve been where you are and I’m very aware of how challenging it can be to pursue a dream while maintaining responsibilities. 

I’m taking the time to mention the obvious and highlight your responsibilities to make a point. I understand your perspective. I’m sharing this information with you based on my own personal experience. Many of the books I’ve read looking for direction and inspiration tend to provide some great insight but I’m often left feeling let down after I’m done reading.

Sometimes I’ve had the feeling that the writers of those books have no idea about my reality. They don’t have to figure out how to juggle working full time, managing a household and maintaining a social life (if I’m lucky). They have life circumstances that I’ve never had. They have money, a supportive husband, maid service, a nanny or the overall ability to step away from life and focus on their dreams. 

I don’t have that. I’ve never had that. I’m a regular person who had to figure out a way to run my life and push my limits at the same time. I had to take a moment to figure out what my next steps would be even before I had taken my first step. Then I had to take the first step not knowing if my next steps would work. 

I had to take that all too common leap of faith that we keep hearing about. I had to wrestle with being considered “selfish” because I was pursuing my dreams. I’m saying all of this because I’m more like you than you think.

 The insights I’m going to share in this site don’t come from a special place of privilege. They come from a special place of determination. 

 So from that perspective, I am writing this book and giving you these insights. I will also be sharing stories from other people who have found a way to push their limits as well. I realize that my perspective isn’t the only one. We can and should learn from the experiences of others even if their lives don’t look like ours.

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Expect to see some variety here and read some different perspectives. I didn’t write this book to sell you on what I think. I’m writing it to show you how to step outside of your comfort zone and be successful.

So back to the title of this chapter, “are you stuck in a rut?”

It’s important to determine whether you need to climb out of a rut or if there’s something else keeping you from where you want to be. Don’t worry, this book won’t focus solely on climbing out of a rut but it’s an important place to start.

Many people automatically assume that they’re stuck in a rut when it feels like their lives have stalled. That may or may not be the case. You don’t want to take the time trying to get yourself out of a rut if you’re not in one.