Stuck In a Rut, or Burned Out?

In a study group with Christian business leaders recently, the topic of burnout came up, and more than one person mentioned dealing with it in the past. It is possible to be stuck in a rut but not experiencing burn-out, but it can feel so overwhelming that we mis-diagnose what is happening.

There is a definition of burn-out from the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) which classifies it as an “occupational phenomenon.”

Their definition and explanation are, “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion,
• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job,
• reduced professional efficacy.

My observation is that both situations lead to a feeling of loss of control and motivation, among other things, but feeling stuck is temporary, not a chronic condition. I’ve personally dealt with feeling stuck and being burned-out, and as a coach I’ve worked with people in both situations. It is much easier to get unstuck than to overcome burn-out.

So what can we do to recognize the symptoms of feeling stuck so that it does not lead to a chronic condition that seriously damages our relationships, work, and health? Here are a few symptoms:

-      A lack of motivation for work, relationships, or hobbies,

-      Negative thoughts and self-talk,

-      A lack of focus or being easily distracted,

-      A lack of energy and enthusiasm with nothing to look forward to,

-      You are not growing or moving forward.

You will likely notice that the symptoms are not much different than those of burn-out, but they are not as extreme to the point of exhaustion or cynicism. Tony Robbins recommends six steps to get out of a rut, with some editing here by me. (For the complete blogpost click https://www.tonyrobbins.com/mind-meaning/stuck-in-a-rut/.)

GET OUT OF DENIAL

Rather than make excuses or dismiss the idea take responsibility for your life and

realize that your life is a result of your decisions alone. As Tony says, “Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.”

UNCOVER THE REAL REASON

Getting out of a rut involves looking inward, not outward. Limiting beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves hold us back from becoming what we could be. Recognize your negative thoughts and self-talk and create new, empowering beliefs instead.

TURN SHOULDS INTO MUSTS

What will you regret more in your life: wasting it with inaction and indecision, or getting out there and taking a chance? If you’re stuck in a rut, reframe your choices as “must do” or “want to,” not “should do.”

CREATE HEALTHY HABITS

A lack of energy contributes to the endless loop of being stuck in a rut. To gain energy create healthy habits, change your diet, get moving and exercise. Do something different that is fun. Start small and work your way up to a healthy lifestyle that fuels your brain and body and propels you toward your goals.

TAKE ON A CHALLENGE

The human brain is incredibly complex – but it can be mastered. Your brain solves problems using neural pathways that have previously worked. Creating new pathways can help your brain learn how to get out of a rut. To do this, take on a challenge, learn a new skill, or take a small risk to get out of your comfort zone.

GET SUPPORT

Getting out of a rut isn’t always easy because the human brain gets stuck in its ways. Friends and family can be supportive, but they can’t always help us move forward. A coach, mentor or accountability partner can help with direction, insight, positive reinforcement and goal setting.

My mission as a coach is to help people unlock their potential and progress toward their dreams and desires. Identifying what is holding them back and creating a strategy to move forward is where I can help. Contact me for a complimentary call to see if I can be of service to you.

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Tad Douglas Coaching

www.taddouglas.com

tad@taddouglas.com

502-553-8119