Often times, we allow ourselves to get in our own way. If you ever find yourself in a rut, here are the questions you must ask yourself in order to move forward.
BY: RACHEL HARVEST, MS, RD, CDN
To move forward, you must kick up the dust on stagnancy. Sometimes, that means you need to reevaluate all of the things you were previously inspired to initiate, but now want to give up on.
Could it be your exercise routine? Could it be that dream job you’ve been aiming for? Perhaps it’s that trip around the globe you’ve been wanting to take this year.
What has you feeling like it’s time to give up? What has you thinking that you are stuck or stopped, or are lost in too much red tape and paperwork?
Think about what you say is an absolute MUST about your plans.
Let’s take that exercise routine. Did you say something to yourself, like “I have to lose 10 pounds” or “I have to exercise 4 times a week”, or I may as well just give up?
Let’s talk about the job. Do all of those criteria have to be met exactly in the way you envisioned, or is there something about your work now that reflects those goals to some extent?
Let’s talk about that trip around the globe. Does it really need to happen in one year? Can you space it out as multiple trips? Can you start and see how far you get, or is it necessary that you travel everywhere at once, or nowhere?
Having “MUSTs” kills what’s possible.
You don’t have control of what happens in the future, so what is up with all the rules and regulations that you won’t allow to budge?
What has you so stringent with yourself and your life, and what would it be like if you just let it be?
What would it be like if you set a goal or dream, and you earnestly worked towards it without being obsessed with its outcome?
What would it be like if you were inspired and encouraging towards yourself, every step of the way?
What would it be like if you enjoyed the process?
In order to that, you have to let go of those “MUSTs” to have experiences that are fulfilling and love-filled. At first, letting them go can be uncomfortable and a bit frightening, but after awhile, you see that you don’t need these “MUSTs”. They’re like the training wheels to being free in your life experience. Once you see how easy-going and natural it is to coast and take in the scenery, you can take those training wheels off and just be free.
And the most beautiful part about letting go? You will still achieve.
By stopping the incessant demand of growth and success from yourself, you will likely surprise yourself at how regularly you can still achieve what you set out to do. That’s what happens when you let life unfold and stop being so forceful and hard on yourself.
Rules. Demands. Perfectionism. We are all guilty of it, but it is our choice if we practice to let it all go.
Find relief by relieving the grip you’ve got on yourself.
Adapted from the original article.
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Rachel Harvest, MS, RD, CDN is a NYC-based Registered Dietitian, behavioral health nutritionist, and wellness coach. With her philosophy centered around the love we need to give ourselves before finding our health and happiness, Rachel is on a mission to help you dig deep within to create the life you want for yourself. To work on you with somebody who loves you no matter what, visit Rachel at The Harvest Method. And try 21 days of the Harvest Method by signing up for the Be Nourished Lifestyle Program.