How to Get Out of a Rut.

Inertia - when you're stuck and can't move forward - can be a major stumbling block for businesses of any size.

We all do this sometimes - our daily routines become habits that we stick to 'just because'. After a time we don't really consider whether taking the time to do something a certain way is still serving us. In business this can lead to stagnation and inefficiencies. It stifles creativity and makes us fearful of change leading to missed opportunities.

In my experience inertia often manifests in two guises for entrepreneurs:

Procrastination - this is most common for new entrepreneurs starting up who are facing the fears of starting something new, and are dancing around the subject to avoid getting started (I know, I've been there!).

Stagnation - for established small businesses who are through the initial excitement of setting up, and are now in the long haul stage of building your base. Day to day tasks have become mundane and you're starting to lose steam and inspiration.

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits has a wealth of useful ideas on how to make your habits work for you, rather than against you. He has an interesting challenge to help identify and overcome inertia:

"What is one commitment you are continuing to do out of inertia, but—if you had the courage to eliminate it—you would immediately benefit from discarding it?"

Source: James Clear, Atomic Habits

Break the wheel

To quote my favorite Targaryen, we need to 'break the wheel' - or stop the cycle we're in, before we can start a new way of doing things. That starts with identifying that we're in a rut to begin with, and defining what it is we're avoiding doing.

5 for 5

Take 5 minutes to look at your average day and identify 5 things you do every day. Do each of these habits really take you and your business forward? Could you do them differently? Could you drop them entirely?

Remember ACTION creates MOTIVATION, not the other way around

If you're struggling to make a change or get started, waiting around for inspiration to strike before you begin can keep you in a holding pattern. In reality, the motivation to do the task often doesn't start until you're actually doing it.

To break through the mental barrier you can try committing to something so small it seems easy. For example tell yourself you'll do the unpreferred task for just 5 minutes and then you can stop. Allowing yourself the easy exit is often all the kick start you need to choose to keep going. Once the ball is rolling, it's much easier to maintain the momentum.

Take advice and inspiration from others

Thinking in the vacuum of your own head can only get you so far. If you're stuck in a mental rut then seek inspiration from others. Ask your team for their input, hire a consultant, read articles, talk to friends and family. Other people can surprise you with their different perspectives and may help you see your way ahead more clearly.