What to do when the daily grind has you down
September 20, 2017
By Brian Maynor
We all go through periods when we feel trapped by life and overwhelmed by our routines.
That could be feeling trapped in a career because of the time you’ve invested in a degree or a specific industry, or in life because you aren’t having enough fun, or traveling more, or whatever it is we long to do that never seems to materialize.
In fact, a recent study just found that 69% of people feel trapped by their routines, and only 3 out of 10 are happy with their lives. That’s incredibly depressing.
While there is no shortage of support and encouragement, sometimes we need action to get over the hump, which is exactly what these tips provide.
Here are the best tips to get out of a rut, or better yet avoid it all together. They may seem unconventional, but they’re effective:
1. Reject false objectives. False objectives are anything we feel we ‘should do’ or ‘have to do’ because of pressure from family, friends or society. We all have the ability to design the life we want, but it’s not the easiest path. Try this exercise if you keep doing what everyone else is doing, but still feel stuck. The only way to break the cycle is by thinking and doing things differently from what everyone else is doing.
2. Ask these two questions every day:
a. Why am I doing this?
b. What would future me want to do today?
The answers to these questions help us live intentionally. If we dedicate years to career it should be for more than ‘paying the bills.’ That does not provide fulfillment or a deep sense of satisfaction for our souls. By looking at today from a future vantage point, we teach ourselves to persevere and benefit from delayed gratification. The world seems to run on the need for instant gratification, but not everything in life works that way. Some of the greatest accomplishments take time and continuous cultivation to bring to fruition.
3. Set goals we actually want to accomplish. It seems like common sense, but how many New Year’s resolutions have we set because we felt we should or had to, and how many of them have we achieved? If we’re not invested in the outcome, then it’s extremely hard to accomplish a goal.
4. Check our mindset. Sometimes our ruts are only in our mind. How we think, talk and view life has a tremendous impact on how we feel about it. If we’re feeling stuck or trapped, try listening to how we phrase things. Sometimes by rephrasing them to be more positive or fluid will create a mindset of opportunities and possibilities instead of one set in stone that we find frustrating or disappointing.
5. Choose our friends wisely. Did you know that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with? Our friends have a huge influence on whether or not we achieve our goals. For example, if we want to run a marathon then we probably shouldn’t be going to happy hour every day. Instead we should join a running club or surround ourselves with people who have achieved that goal already.
Life may not always be exciting, but we should never feel trapped by it. The next time that feeling creeps over us, try one of these tips and see how quickly we can change our mood.
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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
