5 Steps: Get Out Of A Rut

By James Arthur Ray

Are you feeling down because things in your life aren’t going the way you’d like them to? Maybe you’ve recently lost your job and you’re suffering financially; perhaps you’ve broken up with a partner and your recent dating life, or lack thereof, has you frustrated and confused; or a decrease in motivation brought upon by something external has lead to an increase in weight, yet you find yourself consistently overeating. If any of these situations describes your present state of affairs then you’re stuck in a rut. It’s not fun being there, but the good news is, you can get out of it just as fast as you fell into it.

James Arthur Ray is a world-renowned personal success strategist, visionary and New York Times best-selling author who has traveled the globe dedicating over two decades of his life to studying the thoughts, actions and habits of those who create true wealth in every area of their lives. He delivers his practical teachings to hundreds of thousands of people every year through his live seminars and workshops across the globe.

step 1

Define what inspires you

There’s a big difference between taking action out of inspiration versus desperation. What are you good at? What are you doing when you feel most fulfilled? What would you do for absolutely free? What moves you emotionally? When you answer these questions you’ll begin to uncover the things that inspire you. Maybe you feel you’re working a dead-end job in a field you’re not passionate about, but love sports and have always dreamed of working in athletics. Then apply for assistant coaching positions or coach a Little League team. Do it because you love it, not for the money. The money will come if you consistently act out of inspiration. An inspired individual enthusiastically rises every morning ready to face the day head-on, knowing that challenges and obstacles are nothing more than speed bumps along the road to success, wealth and fulfillment. You must first get clear on what moves you and you’ll see your life start to head in an exciting new direction.

step 2

Set a clear intention

Instead of setting goals, I recommend setting intentions. Goals are finish lines, but intention is the process of achievement. An intention has resolve, discipline and commitment. Once you’ve established what truly inspires and moves you, the next step is to set a clear intention to guide your unconscious mind. Be specific. How many pounds do you want to lose in the next 90 days? How much money do you want to earn over the next year? How many dates do you want to go on over the next two months? Then envision what your life will look like once you’ve achieved your intention. When you create a strong enough reason within you, you get it done. Understanding this gives you the edge — but applying it will yank you out of your rut.

step 3

Keep your attention on that intention

Most of us have attention deficit disorder when it comes to achieving what we desire and attention surplus when it comes to creating our own misery. Energy flows where attention goes, so the third step is keeping your attention focused on your intention at all costs. Maybe you live in a closet-size studio apartment, but desire a luxury condo overlooking the Pacific or a beautiful home on a golf course. To lock you on track, consider creating an attention trigger such as a vision board that pictorially illustrates your desired intention. If it’s a new job you desire, include images of what your life will look like once you’ve acquired it. Focus on your attention trigger when you awake and again at the end of the day. Don’t hold back — the bigger, the better. As you continue to put your attention on what you choose, you’ll guarantee more of that.

step 4

Express gratitude for all that you currently have in your life

Gratitude is an extremely powerful force. It ramps up your energy levels, puts you in a positive head space and makes what you want in life rush toward you with great intensity. Regardless of your current income, present physical health or success in relationships, you have a thousand reasons to be thankful. Your income may be a fraction of the millionaire’s down the street, but two-thirds of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day — I’d say you’re doing pretty well. When you focus on what you’re grateful for and express gratitude daily for all that you’ve been gifted, the universe will respond with continuously expanding opportunity.

step 5

Take enthusiastic action each and every day

It’s not enough to simply think and feel that you’re ready to get out of your rut. You have to go 3-for-3 with your thoughts, feelings and actions all firing in alignment. Fate favors the bold — so act boldly. If you intend to lose weight, commit to exercise every single day and give your diet an overhaul; if you want to change careers or make more money, enroll in a class, go to industry-specific seminars, and network outside of your present bubble; if you want to learn a new hobby, take lessons, read books on the subject and connect with people with a similar passion. It’s important that you live from your outcome versus moving toward it. What would a person in top physical condition eat today? What would a multi-millionaire read and what types of people would he communicate with? Once you’re clear on what it is that you want in life, and act with resolve every single day, you’ll generate previously inconceivable results and your life will become a great adventure.