Tips to Making Life Changes and End the Cycle of Being in a Rut

'Nothing changes if nothing changes.' If one is not willing to make changes then simply wishing for them will not make them occur.

Many of us have been there. We wake up and realize as we go through the same process we went through yesterday in order to get to the same job we have had for years that we want to change. We realize we are in a rut and that we can see ourselves trapped in a downward spiral not an upwards one. (That may not always be the case as being in a rut typically means we are no longer happy--- that is, because as humans with evolving minds, they do evolve---- we want to be challenged. It gets our creative juices going. We may just be in a lateral rut.)

I was talking with a friend just this morning... she has been working at the same job for four years. The work environment is negative, her co- workers are irresponsible... once again, she is by herself because of call- ins from others. She is tired of it, but after four years, she is aware and not surprised. The unknown can be daunting and full of surprises. Pretty scary when we stop to think about it. Are we really thinking about it though? Or, are we dramatizing it because even though we are in a rut, it is a rut if our own doing... a creature comfort if you will?

I mentioned to my friend about all the life-changing stories we have read about... and some we even know about. They are written about for a reason... to give others hope- to challenge others- to allow others to see fear is what keeps change from happening. We can rise up against our fears. We can face them head on.

So... I queried to my other friends whom have faced similar challenges and- you guessed it-triumphed- about what motivated them to take that first step out of their self-imposed rut.

Tips to making life changes and end the cycle of being in a rut- carry ID always

Identify your goals. Identity what you want to change. Do you want to lose weight? A lot of a little? 50 pounds? Write down what your have identified on a post it or a folded up scrap of paper and carry it around with you in your wallet. Look at it multiple times daily. Carry around a saying that helps you identify yourself, such as "you matter."

Tips to making life changes and end the cycle of being in a rut- be a fan of Tom

"I never quit until I get what I'm after. Negative results are just what I'm after. They are just as valuable to me as positive results." - Thomas Edison

Learn from everything in your life. Every attempt. Every success and every failure. Failures can be a good thing. Do not let fear of failure stagnate you. List your goals.

Tips to making life changes and end the cycle of being in a rut- think your way

Rather than taking Olivia Newton- John's advice and feel your way... think your way to a better place. Do not let your own thinking or someone else's' bring you down... or keep you where you are. Use positive thinking about your goal. Think how great you will look in those new jeans. See yourself in a new car... heading to a new job.

Tips to making life changes and end the cycle of being in a rut- think of pizza slices

Do you remember all those flow charts and how they resembled pizza slices? Was that just me? Make your own. Focus on one slice at a time. One slice is not bad for you... moderation and all. So make life changes moderately. Focus on ten pounds not fifty. Focus on updating your resume. Focus on what or where your passion now lays.

Go ahead... take that first baby step. ( and smile...)