“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”

Maya Angelou

Photo by C.W. Cohenour

No matter who you are, this is something we all can relate to. We’ve all had a point in our lives where we just can’t seem to escape, we’re stuck. Whether you are stuck at a boring job, stuck in school, or stuck financially, there’s ways that you can begin your escape. Hope is plentiful, things will eventually change, even if you currently don’t see how. To speed up the process and to escape a rut, here are 7 tips.

1. Plan

To get unstuck you need to know where you want to head and what your first step in that direction needs to be. Write down, in a notebook, everything you view as being the point where you’ve finally escaped your rut. That may be when you’re owning your own business or when you have a million dollars. Then after that, write down what it will take for you to get there.

2. Take steps

Every single day, you MUST take a step to get out of this ditch. There’s no reason you can’t. Even a baby step that takes five minutes will help tremendously.

3. Partner with someone

Fitness experts recommend this to people who want to lose weight. Partner with a friend who also wants to achieve major goals and dreams. You’ll be able to keep each other motivated and even put a little bit of positive pressure on one another.

4. Keep track

With every little success and every little failure, keep note of them. Even create a time line so that you can look back. Each successful step will motivate you to the next. Even failures can motivate you to achieve greatness.

5. Mentally eliminate the rut

Perhaps you’re the one who created this rut. May be you aren’t stuck at all. Readjust your thinking and the hole you’re trapped in could disappear.

6. Change your routine

When you have the “same old” routine everyday, you’ll quickly feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Modify your routine, spice it up, switch things around, or add some new things to your routine.

7. Endure

If you have a lot of patience, then simply endure your time stuck in a rut. Things are never permanent and will eventually change. However, it’s better if you are in control.

Photo by Sam Judson

“Prepare your mind to receive the best that life has to offer.”

Ernest Holmes

Photo by fdecomite

“In life you need either inspiration or desperation.”

Tony Robbins

Photo by kun0me

Naysayers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be young or old, more successful or less successful than you, and many times they are your close friends and relatives. Naysayers are always looking for the negative aspects of everything, whether it be because of fear or even jealously. Here are 8 ways to deal with their negativity, follow your dreams, and beat their naysaying.

1. Take their opinions into consideration

This is especially true for naysayers who are friends and family. If they love you, they’ll have you best interests in mind. Take what they have to say into consideration but don’t lose your dream. Perhaps your plan and approach is not right. You should always have a flexible plan that you can modify. Taking their opinions into consideration may not seem like beating them but as long as you don’t give up your dreams and goals, you’ll be winning.

2. Keep your goals private

If you don’t want to hear the negativity from the naysayers then don’t tell them about your dreams and goals. Wait until you achieve some success before you share with them. I’m sure they’ll still find something to be negativity about but you’ll be able to silence them somewhat.

3. Laugh it off

The best way to beat negativity is to be positive. So just laugh it off. Don’t worry about what the naysayers have to say and move on.

4. Use their negativity for motivation

Nothing gets me more motivated to chase my dreams than someone telling me it can’t be done. Use a naysayer’s negativity as fuel to achieve your desires and to prove them wrong.

5. Pinpoint where their negativity comes from

To make yourself feel better and to understand where the naysayers are coming from, pinpoint what it is that makes them so negative. Is it because they didn’t fulfill their own dreams or is it because of jealousy? It helps to find their insecurities but don’t confront them about it.

6. Get away

This is simple, but just get away from the naysayers and their negativity. Walk away until they can become more positive. You need to surround yourself with as many positive people and as much positive energy as possible.

7. Spark fire in the naysayers

Most likely naysayers need motivation to achieve what they really desire because they don’t believe they can. You can help them. You’re pursuing your dreams so show them the way.

8. Never give up on your dreams

Giving up on your dreams is exactly what the naysayers want you to do. Obviously you want to beat them, so giving up your dreams is not even an option. When the going gets tough, remember why you’re pursuing your dreams, the end result, the freedom and satisfaction.

Photo by TuTuWoN