A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Tao Te Ching

Nike was on to something when they used that as their tag line. They must have known that people tend to stay in our comfort zones. The Law of Inertia in physics states that objects at rest tend to stay rest and those in motion tend to stay in motion at a consistent rate of speed until they run into an external force that disrupts its momentum.

Sometimes our lives get into a rut and we can stay that way for years. Change is a disrupter that can get us out of our stuckness. Since change is a constant in life, it will happen sooner or later. When it’s change we don’t want, we can get stuck resisting rather than moving forward. Being unattached to how you want or expect things to look and developing adaptability will help you manage all the ups, downs, and outcomes of life better. Another way to get out of a rut is to make a plan for what you want and start working toward it. That is what this post is about.

Get Started

If you want to do something but there are always reasons not to, I recommend the following to get out of the rut and do what you want to do. The first step is optional but highly recommended. It’s a great way to start when you don’t feel like moving. 

• Write, type, or record what you want and why you want it.
  • Value the desire with a number from 1 to 10, 1 being the highest. It’s important to know how important something is because that will determine how much motivation and commitment you will bring to the plan.
    • An object with a value rating of 1, 2, or 3 will bring the highest motivation.
    • Ratings of 4 – 7 require some additional consideration to increase the value. What is holding you back? Why are you not more passionate about this thing that’s on your mind so much? Once you identify whether it is cost, time, energy or lack of interest you can brainstorm solutions. If it’s lack of interest, ask yourself why you are thinking about it so much. Sometimes the things we yearn for are not literal and actually mean that we are dissatisfied with something in our daily life that needs attention. If your mind keeps wandering to a secluded beach, it might mean you just need a little alone time in your daily life.
    • A Value of 8 – 10 means something is never going to happen. You’ll have to find a way to reframe the object in a more meaningful way or fine tune the wish until you are passionate about it.
  • Write down all the reasons holding you back and then offer a considered response rebuking the thought or suggesting how you might work around that difficulty. Some people want to be more active (like me). Some people (also like me) want to travel overseas. They find many reasons not to get started like time, cost, and they barely have enough energy to get through each day let alone plan and go on a trip (again, also like me). Other people are always putting others’ needs before their own. Sometimes taking a vacation seems selfish until you reframe it as much needed self-care or valuable family time. You can make it okay to go to Greece for a month if you will be spending 5 hours a day taking care of stay cats. A trip to Italy can be justified because you will take a cooking or art class while there.
• Once you have the wish, motivation, passion, and guilt-free desire you can start developing the plan. Record your desire, rating, blocks, workarounds, and list the things that need to be done to achieve your goal. 
• Create a timeline so you know everything that needs to be done and the deadline.
  • Add the tasks to your calendar so you’ll get a reminder.
  • Make adjustments as needed to shorten or lengthen the timeframe depending on your needs, obstacles, and how long things take.

Final Thoughts

Doing these tasks (and taking life) one step at a time has many benefits, the most important is that you achieve your goals. Taking the first step can be uplifting and inspiring. It feels good to act. And it is the only way to achieve goals. Recording your thoughts and struggles is an easy way to ease into your project. Making the plan and breaking it down into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) goals can increase clarity, focus, motivation, and excitement. This can help make that first step easier to take. Without that first step, it probably will never happen.

What are you waiting for? You know what to do. Go do it.