You're in a Survival Rut

A Survival Rut is when you're barely getting by emotionally and mentally. Your priorities are too many, the work load too heavy and you have no idea how to move forward with real progress.

Ruts happen, and you already have the tools to get out of them!

1:1 Tasks & Enjoyment - For every task you accomplish on your To Do List, do something small you enjoy.

Consider those hard daunting tasks as gifts to yourself. YOU cared about yourself enough to take that pressure away, complete the task, and free up some mental and emotional load!

Let Your People Know Your Priorities - Communication is key here. Nobody can read your mind. At home and at work, it's appropriate and helpful to say things like "I have to finish xyz project in order to move forward with other things." (Side note: we do this one ALL THE TIME in my house. Do the looming thing, move on to enjoying life.)

Use Kind Words About Yourself - during a Survival Rut you're likely going to feel burnt out. Allow yourself rest, enjoyment, and revitalizing experiences. You aren't lazy if you take breaks, you aren't selfish if you go read a book, you aren't slacking off if you take a walk to clear your head.

Know When to Pivot - "PIVOT!" there, I got it out for all of us. But seriously, if the same solution you've always tried isn't working, find a new way. Ask for help, collaboration, or seek knowledge. Nobody is an expert at everything.

Make Two Lists - When in a Survival Rut, all the things feel heavy. Making two lists can help. A "Must Do" list and a "Nice to Do" list. Must do is easy, those are the big tasks that must be done to keep the wheels turning and the lights on. Nice to do are those side quests that start out admirable, but turn into looking at all your clothes on the guest bed at 9pm because you wanted to change out hangers. And while you were in there you thought checking what fit and what can be given away would be a good idea. So you might as well start a load of laundry but oh the lint trash is full, now you check all the small trash bins in the house. Oh great, now it's 11pm there are clothes everywhere and you're standing in the garage exhausted. (OK that was a little on the nose and projecting.) Your Nice to Do List can be all those things that aren't vital and would be nice to accomplish eventually when you actually have the time.

Do you need help with your priorities and a game plan? Let's work on it together!