It happens to everyone. You’re going about your life, leaving things on autopilot because it seems like everything is ok, and before you know it… bam, you’re neck-deep in a big fat rut. It sucks when you realize you’re in this position, but all is not lost!

One of the best ways to claw your way out of a rut is by improving yourself in some way, and learning a new skill is a great choice here. There’s nothing like the feeling of progress to lift your spirits and get you looking forward to better days ahead.

Me, I’m learning a few specialized skills in the world of photography right now. In my case it’s not that I’m even in a rut; it’s more like preventative maintenance 🙂 it doesn’t have to be a major undertaking, either. One small, self-studied course is all it can take to get you off and running. Here a couple sites to consider if you plan on signing up for something!

Udemy

This is the site I’m currently using to take my photography course. Courses are paid, but the fees are small (usually you can get a course below $20 – if not, clear your cookies and cache and try again!) and the content quality is quite good for what you pay. I don’t hesitate to recommend them.

One of the things I really like about the site is that they have courses covering a very broad range of topics. You’ll find something on everything from coding, to photography, to healthy eating and beyond on the site.

The site also offers a variety of free courses, though I’d say be warned in this instance: the free sources can vary much more widely in their quality of instruction and content!

Lynda.com

Like Udemy, Lynda offers thousands of courses on a variety of topics, all of which are paid. The difference here is that you pay on a monthly or annual basis, versus per course.

This has advantages and drawbacks of course. If you really want to dive in and take a bunch of courses, you’ll get your money’s worth out of Lynda for sure. If you’re just looking for one specific course on one topic though, either complete it during Lynda’s trial period (usually 10 days) or look elsewhere.

It doesn’t have to be a new skill.

Nope, it can be just about anything. Clean your home if it was messy – you wouldn’t believe what a difference this can make to your state of mind, and it has ripple effects too. When you clean your house, you tend to look for other areas of your life to clean at the same time… and so it snowballs from there.

Exercising is another great option to bust your rut. We know that it release endorphins, but did you know that beyond just making you feel good, they can also help you feel like you’re making progress?

Change the Scenery

This was what did it for me the last time I found myself in a rut. Get on a plane, get in your car, or get on a bike; whatever mode of transportation you choose, just go. My wife and I got away to Indonesia, and it did more than bust our rut – it changed us. A change of setting can be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to digging out of a tough place. It brings a fresh perspective, takes your mind off of whatever may have been bothering you, and gets you thinking about things in ways you may not have previously.

You don’t have to spend a ton to do this – it could be as simple as an AirBnB somewhere, or as fancy as a flight to a sandy beach somewhere. It doesn’t matter so much where you go, as much as the simple fact that you go.

Wrapping it Up

Like I said before, everyone finds themselves in a rut once in a while. The important thing is to be able to recognize it, and then do something about it. Ruts usually don’t pass on their own like storms; you need to take action to MAKE them pass. When you do, you’ll find things are looking up again before you know it!

Got any other tips for grinding through a rut? Share them with me in the comments!