YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Several years ago, while working in my office, I quietly slipped around the corner and into the supply room to make a few quick copies.
Neither of my assistants noticed, and they were unaware that I could hear their conversation. Unexpectedly, their talking turned to hushed whispers.
“Mark’s a nice guy, but he’s moody,” one lady said. “You’re right,” said my long-term assistant, “he’s a good guy, but you never know what you’re going to get on Mondays!”
At first, I was surprised by the unvarnished observations about me. But the more I pondered it, the more I realized they were right. I can be moody, especially if I’m in a rut.
Everyone is vulnerable to a mental rut and our behavior gives signals. We know we need to get more done but put things off. We want to be more productive and positive but continue complaining about our work. Or there’s not much to look forward to and so we keep going through the motions.
Admittedly, some ruts can turn into significant mental health challenges. I’ll leave that to the professionals to address. I’m talking about the everyday ups and downs everyone faces, stressors that can escalate into full-blown slumps.
There’s a good chance that if you selected this column to read, you probably value personal development and may have questions such as: What exactly does it take to get out of a mental rut? Why is it that when some people realize they’re in a rut, they perceive it and can swiftly get out? But others, when they recognize it, they don’t feel like doing anything about it.
Here are six actions to recognize and deal with a mental rut effectively.
Part of the problem with a rut is that you may not see a way out, or you see the way out, and it looks too challenging to change. Use your power to choose to get out of the rut and watch how things change for the better.
Consultant, professional speaker and author Mark Holmes is president of Springfield-based Consultant Board Inc. and MarkHolmesGroup.com. He can be reached at mark@markholmesgroup.com.
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.