Revitalising growth when life feels chaotic
Most of us know how it feels to be stuck in a rut, lacking the motivation or inspiration to get on with a task or get started with something. This could lead to procrastination, resulting in feeling guilty and unfulfilled about unfinished tasks or even life in general. Similarly, businesses can also fall into a rut, struggling to innovate or adapt to changing market conditions. In this article, we’ll explore the signs of being stuck, its impact, and strategies to break free.
Personal perspective
My mind tends to go into overdrive when life is chaotic and overwhelming – it is actually quite terrifying. Distractions make me lose focus and scatter my time and effort on things that aren’t important. I used to think having a control-mindset will restore calm and lift me out of a rut. Yet, I have discovered the opposite – it is rather liberating to not focus on controlling, but rather doing the things I need to do to ride out the wave of the chaos.
The best way to deal with chaos or feelings of being overwhelmed is to restore internal order. The following works for me:
- Tackle the most difficult decision of the day first
- Breathe deeply, think and face the chaos in your head
- Write immediate challenges down so you can see them
- Decide what you can deal with and what is beyond your reach
- Remind yourself of your strengths and talents
- Celebrate small wins by ticking off completed tasks on your list
- Breathe deeply and think before you speak, reply or take action when provoked
- Take a walk outside the space where the voice of chaos is the strongest
- Technology and social media are both great, but can also become a trap where you might feel your life sucks compared to others. Choose wisely which content brings peace and which brings more chaos – avoid doomscrolling.
A crucial key to getting out of a rut, is applying discipline. Get up on time, get dressed, create order in your immediate environment and show up! Don’t disappoint yourself by letting go of your self-discipline and healthy routines.
Discipline is an ally. It’s not punishment – it’s about freedom to create personal boundaries.
One task at a time, one day at a time eventually gets you to move forward. Don’t stop moving! Mentally and physically. By the way, you are also moving when taking a break and doing something you enjoy – moving towards contentment.
Be careful not to isolate yourself when feeling stuck, lost or sad. Positve relationships is one of the best ways to get unstuck and create meaning in your life. Phone a friend to talk or share a sunset with a good human. Don’t wait for someone else – make it happen yourself!
The Business Perspective
From an employee’s standpoint, feeling stuck can manifest in various ways. They may feel underutilised or unchallenged, leading to boredom and stagnation. Without opportunities for growth or development, employees may feel like they’re not moving forward in their careers. This can ultimately lead to decreased job satisfaction, demotivation, and even lower turnover.
Businesses who are stuck can have significant consequences. Without innovation, businesses can fall behind competitors and struggle to adapt to changing market conditions. When employees feel stuck, productivity and efficiency can suffer, ultimately impacting the bottom line. Businesses that fail to innovate or adapt can lose their competitive edge and struggle to attract new customers.
Breaking Free: Strategies for Success at work
- Breaking free from a rut requires effort and dedication.
- Allow staff to have input in how, when and where they work without sacrificing organisational goals
- Act with intention and purpose, not just all talk and no walk
- Reward and encourage innovation and experimentation
- Identify the root cause of feeling stuck and develop a plan to address it.
- Set clear goals and objectives. Breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps, can help build momentum and motivation.
- Leverage internal and external resources. Training programmes, mentorship or coaching also support growth and development.
- Regularly acknowledge and celebrate successes, no matter how small, to help build confidence and reinforce positive behaviours.
- Invest in employee wellness interventions – remember to ask them what they would like/need.
You are welcome to contact us by using the link below to help you as an individual, your team or your organisation to become unstuck and to move forward. We counsel, coach, train and develop customised interventions.
For some powerful insights into life’s daily dilemmas, I suggest you listen to some of Jordan Peterson’s many excellent presentations:
You can reach us here or click below:
Marjon Meyer – marjon@skillswork.co.za | +2782 883 2425
Sean Woolnough – sean@skillswork.co.za | +2782 894 5827