Happy Groundhog Day!

I am a fan of the movie, “Groundhog Day”. In case you are not familiar with the movie, Bill Murray’s character, Phil Conner, is stuck reliving the same day over and over again – Groundhog day.

Can you relate to the character in the movie, Phil Conner? Does it feel like you are reliving the same day over and over? Were you aware there is a word for this sensation? I’m not referring to the French word déjà vu. No, the word I am referring to is, “Rut”.

There are several tests you can use to determine if you are really stuck in a rut. Some testing methods tend to be more accurate than others. I believe one of the most accurate tests is to list your top problems and biggest worries. After you have completed your list go back and next to each item indicate how long you have had each problem and how long you have been worried about each item on your list. If you have had the same problems and worries for more than a year you are probably in a rut.

Now that you know you are in a rut, what do you do about it? Well there is always the superficial solution. This usually involves ordering something different than your usual at the restaurant where you go out to eat. If you survive the heartburn and indigestion, you can try a new route to work. You could get really crazy and even try listening to a different radio station on the way to work. But be careful doing these things because all the people in your life may start to call you a rebel!

Now if you seriously want to get out of a rut, you need to determine what it is you don’t like about it. Exactly what worries are wearing you down? Are you tired of never having enough money? Are you exhausted from worry that your next paycheck will come with a notice indicating there is no reason to come back on Monday - or ever? What are the problems you are biggest problems?

The next step is to determine how far you are willing to go to change. How hard are you willing to work to change the course of your life. I’m going to tell you right now that this isn’t going to be easy. One of the most basic laws of physics simply states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Changing course takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of work for days, weeks, and months.
You might be amazed at how the people closest to you appear to want you to stay in your rut. Your rut may be their source of comfort and security and people will do a lot to stay comfortable and secure. In fact, that is probably how you got into the rut you find yourself in today!
In order to break out of the rut you are in you are going to have to do things and go places that probably make you a little uncomfortable. You will have to continue even though many people around you are going to urge you to stop. In short, you are going to have to work! Unless you are really committed to making a change, you will probably find yourself right back in the same rut by the time you are looking for shade from the summer sun.

Breaking out of the rut you find yourself in means that you will not have to worry about the same things any longer. It means you will not have to continue to face the same problems again. It does NOT mean you will not have any worries or that you will NOT have any problems. Having problems is a part of life. What I’m saying is that you get to substitute your existing problems for different problems. After all, isn’t variety the spice of life? Really, instead of having to face the problem of not having any money, wouldn’t you rather have the problem of trying to decide where to invest all of your extra money or how much money to give to different charities?

I hope you can make it out of your rut. It isn’t easy, but I think you will find it is worth it.