There are 3 steps to getting out of an unmotivated rut.
First you’ve got to confront your inhibitions, then figure out what you really want, and finally create a smart action plan.
That’s the exact strategy you need to get unstuck and put yourself on the path to a more productive and fulfilling life.
Seems doable right?
Unfortunately, most people won’t be able to do it. That’s because they’re either afraid of facing their fears, or they have a significant mental issue.
Since mental illness is a serious problem, it’s best to consult a professional if you suffer from it. But if you’re a healthy cookie, then keep reading.
This post will briefly explain why you struggle to stay motivated, and show you how to get out of an unmotivated rut.
Why is it So Hard to Stay Motivated?
The reason you find it so hard to stay motivated is because you lack self-discipline. You don’t know how to control your mind.
But it’s not entirely your fault. It’s the way the system is designed.
From the moment you hit kindergarten, you’re conditioned to prioritize everything except yourself. Each step of the education system grooms you to become a good corporate slave working in a cubicle, fast food joint, retail store, factory, etc.
You’re taught nothing about self-discipline. As a result, your mind has control over you.
So instead of being productive, you’re paralyzed by thought. Things that happened in the past still bother you, and thoughts of the future worry you.
Why?
Because you have no control over your greatest mental faculties: memory and imagination. Two intrinsic abilities that make us the highest evolved species on Earth.
Now, if you’re struggling to stay motivated because you have an ailment or disability, that’s understandable.
But if it’s because you lack self-discipline like 90% of people, then there’s simply no excuse.
After eons of evolution it’s impossible for you to be a victim of your own intelligence.
You have the power to get unstuck and motivate yourself.
If you want to learn how to do it, then continue reading.
How to Get Out of An Unmotivated Rut in 3 Steps
Most people think that gurus, motivational quotes, and expensive courses/seminars are cures for their struggles.
However, the secret to motivating yourself comes from doing these three simple things.
Step 1. Confront your inhibitions
If you’re reading this post, it means you have two things: internet access and time.
This is important for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, having web access puts you in the top half of Earth’s population because billions of people aren’t even online yet.
And secondly, spending time here suggests you’ve probably got your basic needs covered already i.e. food, clothing, and shelter.
This means you’re not actually stuck in an unmotivated rut for external reasons…
You’re stuck because of your inhibitions, specifically – FEAR.
It’s the only obstacle holding you back from achieving your goals and happiness.
Despite what everyone says, there’s no such thing as being unmotivated. In fact, like laziness, boredom, self-doubt, and procrastination, it doesn’t exist.
When you know in your heart you should be doing something but you don’t, that’s the paralyzing effect of fear. Those are all signs of mental weakness.
Now don’t grab your pitchfork just yet.
You see, fear only becomes your enemy when you use it against yourself. But it can be a powerful ally that pushes you to do unimaginable things.
For example, a farmer rushing into a burning barn to save his dog because he’s afraid of losing his best friend.
Ultimately, regaining control of your mind is the key to overcoming fear. And it starts with doing a reset to confront your inhibitions once and for all.
Mastering this will prepare you for the next important step.
Step 2. Figure out what you really want
Here’s a disturbing stat…
Almost 80% of Americans will spend 108,100 hours of their lives working in jobs they hate.
Let that thought marinate for a minute while you check out this graphic:
Don’t let the projections fool you. The actual numbers are a lot higher for people who work 55-hour weeks and spend 2 hours commuting.
Based on the data, it’s highly probable that you could end up doing something you dislike for a huge part of your adult life.
It might seem crazy but this is how the average person spends their time. Not just for work, but also for school, activities, social events, etc.
People actually spend more time daydreaming about things they’d like to do rather than actually doing them.
Take your day for example: What gets you fired up? How much time do you spend doing it? Don’t you wish you could do it everyday? Then why aren’t you doing it?
Here’s the thing… you’ve only got one shot at life, which makes time your most precious asset.
So instead of wasting it on things you hate, you should use it to do what you really want.
But you’ve got to figure out exactly what that ‘want’ is.
Why? Because it’ll give you something to focus on intensely. Otherwise, if you’re not investing your time in something worthwhile, it will just go to waste.
As Annie Dillard once said, “how we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
Now the question is:
Is your time precious to you?
If it is, then you must decide to invest it in something worthwhile.
But if it’s worthless, then just sell it to a company for peanuts.
If you choose to do what you want in life, you’ll never have to worry about being unmotivated. You just need to complete the next step to get started.
Step 3. Create a smart action plan
Once you’ve conquered your inhibitions and figured out what you want to do with your time, this last step is the easiest.
All you have to do now is create a plan and execute it as part of your routine.
But wait, don’t leave so fast!
Although this step is easy, many people still struggle with it because they don’t know how to use their 24 hours wisely.
The good news is, you can avoid those pitfalls by ensuring your plan meets the following criteria:
- It needs a clear objective
- It must have SMART goals
- It should be simple to understand
- It must be adaptable to change
A plan with those criteria will almost always lead to increased productivity and success.
Why? Because it outlines a long-term approach for what you want, keeps you committed, and makes you immune to compromise.
If you invest the time and effort to create a solid plan, you’ll be able to do virtually anything without ever feeling stuck in a rut.
Final Take
Now that you know how to get out of an unmotivated rut, it’s time to make a decision.
Are you going to let fear rule you and waste most of your life doing stuff you hate in corporate servitude?
Or, are you going to take back control of your mind and invest your time doing things that actually matter?
Only one of those choices has the potential to change your life forever.
It won’t be easy but it’s totally doable. You’re fully capable of completing the steps in this post.
If you make the right choice today, then one day when your time is up…
You’ll be able to look back on your life and give the finger to every obstacle that tried to defeat you – especially fear.
On that note, hit the buttons below to share this post with anyone who’s struggling to get out of a rut.
