Keep showing up: getting out of a rut when you're not getting anywhere

Do you ever just feel like you're not getting anywhere? Like you make plans, but then they just don't happen?

I've had two weeks of that.

I went to a festival. I don't think anyone really sleeps properly at festivals. I definitely didn't. And my body clock's been reminding me ever since.

Every.single.day.

I'd begun to get quite disheartened. Setting my alarm for a good time to have a productive morning. Expecting to get certain things done by the end of the day. But alas, life's been throwing me curve balls.

And it's all too easy to take it personally. To think "I must be doing something wrong". "I should be being better". Today was different though.

Today I got up when my alarm went off. Today I didn't feel exhausted. Actually. it started last night. I spent a good few, focused hours working on things I hadn't had the energy to sustain for a while.

As if, all of a sudden, things just fell back into place.

It's all too easy to get fixated on the map as if it really is the territory it represents. But as the adage goes, "no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy". It's a plan. And that's all it is.

So I've had to remind myself: keep showing up.

When the curve balls keep coming, it doesn't mean don't make plans. If plans help, then make them. Just remember: they're only plans. If it's not working, change it up. Do things differently. Break off smaller chunks.

But keep showing up.

We do better when we aim for progress, not perfection. One step is better than none. Half a step is still better than none. It's the reason we say "baby steps". Keep showing up.

Split things smaller if you have to. What's the smallest possible step you could take that still means progress? Do that each day and you'll be a lot further ahead than if you'd have stayed put.

Keep.showing.up.

Even if some days it feels like you're not making any progress. Keep showing up. Because you might make more progress some days than others. But you can't make any at all if you're not where you need to be to start.

"To begin, begin". And begin by showing up.

Are struggling to stop procrastinating or get started on things? Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help you. Get in touch to learn how. Face-to-face sessions available in Leighton Buzzard, and via Skype