The №1 Reason You Feel Frustrated At Your Work And How To Fix It
Escape this dreadful cycle of existence
Do you want to
- Be more productive
- Feel more energetic
- Be more inspired?
But instead, you’re
- Feeling Overwhelmed
- Becoming unproductive
- Feeling uninspired and demotivated?
If yes, you might be stuck in a RUT.
In October 2023, I had my first encounter with this dread.
I was lagging at work. When my manager asked the reason for the delays, I didn’t have any.
I kept canceling meet-up plans with friends.
Even my side hustle, which I look forward to every day, felt like a chore.
I never realized I was in a rut. I didn’t know how to fix it.
Then I got sick, which forced me to take a few days off work. After my recovery, I felt much better.
At first, I thought the antibiotics were magical. They cured my brain fog.
Everything went back to normal.
Last month, November 2023, I discovered a podcast episode by Jemma on Spotify titled “How to get out of a rut?”
Upon reading the definition of a rut, which translates to “boring routine” and “mundane existence”, I decided to give the episode a shot.
After finishing the episode I realized I was in a rut, back in October.
The podcast armed me with the mindset needed to tackle a rut.
How to identify if you’re in a rut?
The common symptoms of a rut are:
- Routine tasks feel tiring
- Declining performance at work
- You feel the need to be left alone
- You don’t feel like doing the things that make you happy
Once I was able to identify the symptoms I developed strategies to cope and escape my rut as soon as I fell into one.
Let me share 3 actionable tips so you can escape your rut.
#1 Head out in the woods:
Being a rut is associated with the feeling of stress and exhaustion, leading to the release of Cortisol, a hormone that increases anxiety and stress.
The first thing you want to do is get rid of excess cortisol levels in your body.
A walk in nature is the simplest way to do so.
Being surrounded by trees and greenery helps regulate oxygen levels, which is crucial for lowering stress
Being physically active and soaking in sunlight helps produce serotonin and endorphins, two hormones associated with happiness and satisfaction.
Whenever you feel tired, stressed, or burnt out, head to the nearest park, lake, or hiking trail.
#2 Do something spontaneous:
Following the same routine for an extended period is the primary reason for burnout.
You need to disrupt the flow of your day by doing something spontaneous.
Your body craves dopamine when you’re in a rut.
Spontaneous decisions promote adrenaline production and reward your senses with dopamine.
On your way to work, detour to a new cafe downtown.
Book a ticket for a short trip this weekend.
Avail a sick leave from work and clean your house.
Whatever it is. Surprise yourself.
Act out of character.
#3 Do something creative:
When you’re in a fixed routine, you don’t get to exercise most of the corners of your brain.
Doing something creative is a fantastic way to exercise inactive regions of your mind, rewarding you with a novel experience.
Write a poem or an essay.
Draw your favorite anime character.
If you’re into music, create a small piece.
Develop a dance routine.
Create something!
How to prevent falling into a rut:
- Schedule a walk in nature in advance. 2 times a week, during weekdays, is a great starting point.
- Don’t postpone creativity. Do something creative daily, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Give yourself a chance to nurture your passion.
- Spice things up frequently. Change your workout routine, skip breakfast and have brunch, or wear clothes you’ve never tried before. Embrace novelty. Open yourself to new experiences.
So, are you stuck in a rut?
If yes, fuck work and responsibilities.
Try any of the strategies mentioned above.
Let me know how it goes.
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