Getting Out of a Rut

We've all been there: You're firing on all cylinders—inspired and motivated. Then, suddenly, you aren't. Things become very, very difficult.

You're in a rut.

Here's my strategy to get out of it: pic.twitter.com/mt98nHQic1

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Last week, I fell into a rut.

I didn't want to wake up at my normal hour, didn't want to travel, and didn't want to do the daily writing that I normally love.

Fortunately, I've developed an approach for these situations:

1. Stop Digging
2. Change Direction
3. Create Movement

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Step 1: Stop Digging

"The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging." ― Warren Buffett

Think of being in a rut as being at the bottom of a hole. A lot of us are digging ourselves deeper without realizing it.

This happens in two ways:

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Negativity: It's easy to be hard on yourself when you're in a rut.

You start using negative self-talk to criticize your lack of discipline.

The negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy—you start to believe negative things about yourself and find evidence to confirm it.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Exhaustion: You're a car stuck in the mud.

Ambitious people assume that they can get the car out of the mud by revving the engine and propelling forward, but the tire spins faster and faster and the car digs itself deeper and deeper.

We're avoiding the rest we desperately need.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

The first step to get out of a rut is to stop digging.

• Upgrade Your Mindset: Eliminate the negativity and cut yourself a break.

• Take Rest: Don't try to get out of it in an instant. Give yourself time and space to rest. Remember that "rest" comes in many different forms.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Step 2: Change Direction

There are all variety of factors that are outside of your control that may have contributed to you falling into a rut, but this step solely focuses on those within your control.

Look internally and externally at the controllables:

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Internally: How am I complicit in creating the conditions that I don't want?

This question forces you to pause and look inward—to ask whether there are any actions, mindsets, or patterns through which you were contributing to the rut.

How can you change those conditions?

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Externally: How is your environment negatively shaping this reality?

Most of the time, your environment contributes to your rut.

You may just need a change of scenery, or you may need to remove some people or things that are draining your energy and contributing to the cycle.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Step 3: Create Movement

If you wait to act until you feel motivated, you may never start. When in doubt, just start moving.

Movement —> Momentum —> Motivation

To start the cycle, all you have to do is manufacture movement. Then you can sit back and let it take you for a ride.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

My favorite method for manufacturing movement: Minimum Viable Progress.

Avoid the tendency to think that the movement has to be perfect.

As @JamesClear says, "Just because it's not optimal, doesn't mean it's not beneficial."

Just do a tiny bit. Anything above zero compounds.

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Life is a long game. Simply staying in the game is the most important thing.

Ruts happen. When they do, slow down and work through them:

1. Stop Digging
2. Change Direction
3. Create Movement

Follow me @SahilBloom and RT the original tweet to share it with others. https://t.co/F0pQ5N1EsE

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023

Important Note: This is not intended to replace professional mental health support.

While my strategy will certainly help, if you believe the rut is driven by a clinical issue, seek out a mental health professional.

If you don't have access to one, open up to a friend.

🙏🏽❤️

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 1, 2023