Maybe you got distracted + veered off track. Or perhaps you lost your focus + forgot your purpose. It may be that you ran out of inspiration or even just got bored. It doesn’t matter if you’re a nine-to-fiver in a cube, running a Fortune 500 from the C-suite, saving the world through your non-profit, or raising babies at home all day, the monotony of day-to-day life can bring us to a halt if we aren’t self-aware and proactive.

If you need to get unstuck today, here are three things you can do right now to start digging out of your rut:

1. EMBRACE THE POWER OF ROUTINE

As counter-intuitive as this may seem, getting into a routine might just be the solution to your doldrums. Planning a fresh way to tackle everything on your plate will make you healthier, more productive, and more satisfied with your life. A daily routine will help you stay focused on the task at hand. Knowing what you’re supposed to be doing at any given time is an effective way to combat distractibility. 

By the way, not only is distractibility the #1 enemy of success, it's a symptom of a scarcity mindset. If you find yourself constantly drawn to something other than what’s before you in the present moment, you are deciding on some level, subconscious or otherwise, that what you have or what you’re doing is not enough— not entertaining enough, not exciting enough, not profitable enough, not impactful enough. This is a harsh reality to come to grips with, but a helpful one when we’re humble enough to accept that our something-shiny tendencies point to something deeper. 

2. TRY SOMETHING NEW

If you already have a routine, switch it up. You can’t expect things to change if you aren’t willing to welcome change from time to time. Even if your something new has nothing to do with your routine, get creative! Make space in your schedule for creative thinking, brainstorming, and low-stakes risk-taking. Stepping into the unknown can stimulate every aspect of your being, mind, heart, spirit, and body, and revive the soul. Get uncomfortable and have a little fun!

Better yet, get a passion project! Not sure what that is or what you’re passionate about? Check out my coaching services. I’d love to help you discover your dreams and start walking in them!

3. REMEMBER THE ONE

Everyone serves someone every single day. Whether you serve your kids, your spouse, your boss, your co-worker, your neighbor, or your friend, take a moment to recognize the recipient at the end of every action in your day. Maybe even write them down. When we focus on something other than our own boredom and dissatisfaction it reminds us of our purpose and brings meaning into our lives. If you can’t seem to figure out who you serve each day, you might only be serving yourself. Ouch. 

Ultimately, we’re all created to serve God by serving others. If you’re in a rut of self-centeredness, it’s okay. Recognize it, snap out of it, repent, and accept a clean slate. Find someone to serve today and be refreshed by God’s unending love and Grace.

BONUS!

Here are the two most obvious, yet overlooked ways to get out of a rut:

4. STOP COMPLAINING

Excuse making and griping are literally giving you brain damage. Google "the effects of negativity on the brain” real quick. See what I’m saying? Your victim mentality might just kill you. Decide on a way to remind yourself to think positively thought the day. Set a reminder on your phone for every few hours or write a sticky note and put it on your computer monitor. A few years back I made hash marks on my hand with a pen every time I caught myself complaining and it was eye-opening and humiliating to see visually just how many times I complained in one day.

5. BE THANKFUL

Hello. It’s no secret that there is power in recognizing all we have to be thankful for. Gratitude is a life-changing practice. Start your daily routine with listing 3-10 things you’re grateful for and see if you don’t notice a shift in your mentality!

Everyone gets stuck in a rut sometimes. Even Christians go through dry spells and wilderness seasons and find it difficult to reemerge. I’ve certainly been stuck spiritually! If you need prayer for getting unstuck, shoot me an email at hello@tiamcnelly.com. I’d love to pray for you!

Is your business, non-profit, or ministry STUCK?
Collected Workshops are designed to help Christians in any season or set of circumstances understand that they were created on purpose with a purpose. Our one-day workshops and three-day retreats are packed with self-discovery, worship, and restorative creative exercises that are centered on our grounding scripture, Colossians 3:1-17.

Learn more at collectedministries.org or email us at info@collectedministries.org.

Take your team or community from frustrated and unfocused to inspired and on fire a they discover and begin to walk in their true identity and divine purpose!

Eager to get unstuck? Check out our free resource, FIVE HIDDEN BARRIERS TO KINGDOM CULTURE And How To Break Them Down.