Let’s look at how to get out of the rut. If you have you been feeling like you’re stuck in a rut lately and spending too much time on your own doing the same things over and over, or you feel like you are holding yourself back, read on.
As entrepreneurs, most of us are happy with our own company and we like to be on our own and uninterrupted for long periods of time so that we can get our work done. But being on your own and doing the same thing day after day can land you in a rut or what is known as an introvert rut, which is not good for you emotionally and in the long run physically.
It is always important to keep your social bonds going, because being lonely is not a good thing. Don’t you always feel better after you have been out with friends or had family around? The people in our lives are what makes life fun and we have to make every effort not to neglect them.
How Do I Know If I Am In A Rut?
Do you wake up in the morning and feel joyless? Do you sit for hours in front of your computer and feel like you are getting nothing done? Have you run out of ideas or inspiration? When last did you have a good conversation with somebody? Does every day feel the same as yesterday?
If any of the above apply to you, you are probably in a rut and you need to make some changes to pull yourself out of your rut and towards yourself again.
How To Get Out Of The Rut
There are a few things you can do if you’re stuck in an introvert rut, so let’s try and figure things out.
Clear Away Those Small Tasks
When you are so focused working on the big picture, those small things do tend to pile up. Take a break from your main focus and do some of those smaller tasks that are piling up. It will clear the clutter and make you more focused on the work at hand, as well as give you a break as you can focus on something different for a while.
Get Out There
One of the best ways to get out of a rut is by pushing yourself to try new things, however, this can be a bit much for the deeply introverted. Branch out and try new things in new places, maybe hanging out with a larger group of people, but do so within the confines of your comfort zone.
Go to your favorite coffee shop and order your favorite drink at their busiest time of day. Go to a party you wouldn’t typically attend but hang in the corner with a close friend. The key to this exercise is finding a balance; you want to push yourself, but not too far.
Go For A Walk
This hack works wonders. Just getting out into the fresh air for a half-hour or so will work wonders and get your mind off the job at hand for a while.
Upgrade Yourself
Learn a new skill. Take an online course or do something new outside of your comfort zone. This will not only teach you something new but also get your mind off the mundane and onto something new. Keep challenging yourself as you are never too old to learn a new skill.
Meet New People
Along the same lines, you want to meet new people within your comfort zone too. Spark up a conversation with a friendly person at your favorite store, restaurant, or bar. This will help you meet someone that’s most likely like-minded without pushing yourself to the point of discomfort.
Push yourself to go somewhere where you might meet a new friend with whom you have common interests. This could make it easier for you to mix things up and get out of your rut without pushing yourself to the point of discomfort.
If you enjoy crafts for instance, you could join a crafting group and meet a bunch of other people who also enjoy making things.
Learn To Do Something New
Doing something entirely new to you can be a good way to break yourself out of your rut, but for a lot of introverts, this is highly uncomfortable and maybe even anxiety-inducing. You have to push yourself to do something new that you’re comfortable with.
If you’re more comfortable going out to a game night at a brewery or a book club that lets you be in a smaller group, push yourself to do that. If you’re more comfortable going to a larger party where you can hide in the crowd if you need to, then that needs to be the something new that you try.
Burst Out Of Your Shell
A great way to break out of an introverted rut is by pushing yourself to get out of your shell. This is another exercise that might prove to be very uncomfortable for introverts, so it may not be for everyone.
Pushing yourself to try new activities that cause you to push the limits of introversion can help you get out of that rut. Try branching out to new small groups where the attention has to be on you at some point, like a book club, creative writing group, local bridge game, or a small jam session among other things. This will help you break out of your shell and push past this introversion and the rut you’re in.
Read A Good Book
If you feel you are only working and doing nothing else, try taking the afternoon off and just relax with a good book. This is a great way of rebooting yourself, and don’t feel guilty about it.
Phone A Friend
Get chatting to a good friend, or one that you haven’t spoken to for a long time. This is always a mood booster and will get your mind away from the daily mundane things.
Take A Break
Contrary to popular belief, nobody is going to mind and your business won’t fall apart if you take a well deserved two or three day break. This means taking yourself far away from your work situation or even your home situation and going somewhere new. Get away and enjoy new freedoms for a few days, and you will feel renewed when you get back.
How to get out of the rut can be quite difficult and the more introverted you are, the harder it will be. Practice pushing yourself to do new things but within the confines of your comfort zone. This will help you get out of your rut without risking pushing you past your limitations.
