Groundhog Day Rut-Are You In It?

Groundhog day 2012 has arrived.  Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow or won’t he?  Does it really matter?  Heck, this “winter” has been so nice to most of us that tomorrow’s results are irrelevant, right?
The bigger question I have is DO YOU live the life of Groudhog day?  Do you feel like each day happens the same as the previous?  Are all your days seemingly blending together in a blur of boredom that has taken over your life?  If so, don’t worry, you are not alone.  While I am out speaking I ask this question in almost every opportunity and there is always 50% of the group that says resoundingly, “YES!  This sounds like my life.”  Here is one example of a Grounhog Day Life:
6:00am – wake up to alarm and hit snooze
6:08am – wake up to alarm and listen to it for 10 seconds before deciding to shut it off or hit snooze again.
6:15am – use bathroom (only if you didn’t choose to hit snooze a second time)
6:17am – turn on shower and try to think of what you are going to do today, what you are going to wear today
6:20am – get in shower
6:33am – get out of shower
6:33am to 7:03am Go through same routine as yesterday to get ready for work (it is called habit for a reason, right?)
7:05am – Start coffee…MUST HAVE COFFEE. 
7:10am – drinking coffee and eating (do you eat the same breakfast every AM?)
7:10 – 7:35am – Checking Facebook to see if you missed something epic and huge while barely paying attention to the news and weather on the TV.
7:42am – Oh shoot, why did I stay on FB so long and now I am rushing to not be late for work!
7:59:59 – Arrive at work…WOOHOO!  You made it in the nick of time!  🙂
8:00am – 1130am – Working, working, working…is it lunch yet.  Thoughts running through your head…did I do enough to make my boss happy?…did I get all those emails answered?…did anyone see me texting my friend or checking my facebook?…Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could (you fill in the blank here)!
11:30am – 1pm Lunch Ok you don’t really get an hour and a half for lunch…but do you really really spend a half an hour in that time doing meaningful tasks?
1pm – 5pm –  Working, working, working.  Thoughts running through your head are…What am I going to cook for dinner?…which one of the kids has practice tonight?…Am I going to be able to get the house cleaned when I get home?…I hope that bill doesn’t come in the mail today, payday is still 2 days off!…and the list goes on…
5pm to 6pm – Dinner
6pm to 8pm – Kids time, cleaning house time, running errands time, paying bills time, and the list goes on.
8pm to 10pm – watch your favorite TV shows…deep meaningful stuff.
10pm to 11pm – lay in bed trying to sleep, wondering what is wrong with you that you can’t get to sleep fast enough any more.
11pm to 6am – SLEEP.  (ut oh, did you wake up during this time?  What is on your mind?  What doubts, worry’s, fears, or angers do you have that woke you up…something must be going on, right?)
Does this sound like your life?  Does this sound like something similar to what you are going through?  When you hear me or someone else talk about:

  • Health and Fitness Goals
  • Money/Financial Goals
  • Career/Job/Business Goals
  • Relationship Goals
  • Community Goals
  • Hobbie/Personal/Life Learning Goals
  • Spiritual Goals

…is your first reaction to say something like, “I don’t have time for all that Rich, I am just trying to get through the day!!!”  If this is you…welcome to Groundhog Day Rut!
To get out of the rut it takes desire.  A desire to leave your comfort zone, face and challenge your fears, and live the life you are dreaming of.  A small start would be to change your routine.  Here are some ideas to try:

  • Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier, put something over your snooze button and jump out of bed
  • Start an exercise routine that commits you to just 10-20 minutes each morning
  • Go to work with the intent on making coworkers & clients/customers day better…really really reach out and help them and get to know them and learn who they are.  Don’t just assume you know anyone, because everyone has something going on and could use some help.
  • Become passionate and focused about the things important to you.
  • Turn off the TV at night and read or write or play with the kids…be 100% focused and present.
  • The list goes on…and this is just the start. 

If you really want to take charge of your life (here comes a shameless plug), take me up on my offer of a FREE Coaching Session
Until your desire for change is stronger than your desire to keeping living the Groundhog Day Life you won’t make the changes.  Find your desires, live your passions.  And in the mean time, don’t forget to watch Punxsutawney Phil tomorrow and decide whether you will be happy or sad that he did or did not see his shadow. 
WOOHOO…starting living your life to the fullest today…and you will stop living the Groundhog Day Life!