The 7 Universal Laws of the Rut
A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out.
The 7 Universal Laws of the Rut
Law #1. Stop spinning your tires.
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” — Henry Ford
Stop doing things that got you stuck. Set aside reflection time to identify the causes.
Project: Make a list of attitudes and actions that brought you to this point. Do this every evening for a week. Stop things that aren’t working.
Law #2. Tell yourself the truth.
Excuses are stories we tell ourselves to feel better about staying the same. Blame delays freedom.
Project: Eliminate language that affirms weakness. Own your choices, emotions, and actions.
Law #3. Expose patterns.
- Do relationships often end in the same place?
- Are you persistently unhappy about the same thing?
- Have you repeatedly dropped the ball in the same way?
Project: Write down three frustrations. What similarities do you see?
Law #4. Seek the truth.
Destructive patterns die hard. Are you surrounded by comforters? Find someone who will challenge you.
Project: Ask a trusted friend, “What’s one thing I need to hear, but probably don’t want to?”
Law #5. Focus on becoming.
Becoming is better than being. New behaviors create new paths.
Project: Finish this sentence, “The kind of person I want to be is…” Now list one behavior that person would practice.
Law #6. Contribute.
Put the idea of changing the world on the back burner. Just make a difference – in small ways – now.
Project: Make life better for someone every day. When it energizes you, do more of that.
Law #7. Try stuff.
Action produces clarity.
Project: Do one new thing this week. Journal what you learned about the task and about yourself.
What helps leaders get unstuck?
What laws of the rut might you add?
A Rut is A Grave with the Ends Kicked Out
The Doer Trap: How Leaders Get Stuck and How to Break Free | IndustryWeek
What helps leaders get unstuck? I like your law #6.
Ask yourself, “How can I add value?’
Ask others, “What can I do to help improve the situation?”
Then decide on the one action you will take and when.
The phrase, “one action” is essential. Thanks
Hard message for me today. Thanks for posting it. I’ve been working on #1 & #3 in particular. I will do #4 today.
I’ve heard it said that we often think our TRUTH is we are getting from “T”here to “H”ere. But if you aren’t seeing progress, check to see if you are stuck the middle (“RUT”). This reminds me that sometimes I think I’m going somewhere but I need to stop and evaluate what is/isn’t working.
Thanks for your transparency. Action (doing #4) has it’s own benefit. One is the practice of humility. I wish you success.
I love your blog emails and always learn something new. BUT this is one of your absolute best!!!!
Thank you John. Cheers
Your blog moves me. #6 got me. 100%. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Small action today is better than waiting for the perfect moment to doing something dramatic.
I am not in a leadership role at this time, and I STILL love reading your blog. This one was great; thanks for your ongoing insights, Dan!
My pleasure Amy. BTW, if leadership is influence, everyone is a leader.