>Users:   login   |  register       > email     > people    


Stuck In A Rut?
By Bryan Avila, TDCJ Correctional Training Instructor - Sergeant of Correctional Officers
Published: 02/25/2013

Dirt road We sometimes find ourselves in a professional rut that we can’t seem to find a way out of. But why does this happen? For everyone it is different. For some people the cause may be an external influence and for others it may be an internal one. You may want to go back to school, promote or start your own business but you just know that you are stuck in this rut and you need a way out.

So, what are you going to do about it? I can guarantee you one thing: No one wants to hear you complain about it. Only you can choose which path you want to take in your career/personal life. It may sound a little harsh but the reality is that we all have our own problems and most of us, if not all of us don’t need the burden of someone else’s problems as well. One saying that I heard many years ago has rung true over and over: If you can’t do something about it, let it go; If you can do something about it and choose to do something about it, go for it and if it doesn’t work let it go; But if you can do something about it and choose not to do something, then you have no reason to bitch about it.

Sometimes we have to do a brutally honest self-evaluation. For most of us this can be very difficult since it forces us to look at ourselves with a critical eye and admit that there are things about us that we don’t like. You can also ask someone for their opinion in order to get someone else’s perspective about ourselves but you have to remember that you cannot get defensive once they answer you. Do not try to make excuses for what they perceive as problems or areas of improvement. All you need to do is sit back, listen, process the information and thank them for being honest with you.

Once you have completed your self-evaluation, you need to figure out 3 things:
  1. Where are you at this stage in your life?
  2. Where do you want to go?
  3. How are you going to get there?

Most of us know where we would like to go so this is probably the easiest question to answer. The self-evaluation will help us answer, in part, where we are. But by far the hardest question to answer is how we are going to get there. There is always a path to the “there” and we just have to find it.

For some of us just the shear thought of all the work and time that it may take to get there may seem overwhelming so make a list of the step that are involved in reaching where you want to go and set them up as milestones. Give yourself specific dates by which you want to accomplish each milestone. (Keep in mind that each milestone may also involve other steps that may need to be added to the list so you can set these up as mini-milestones). Doing this step will definitely increase your self-confidence in being able to get there since every time you reach a milestone it will be a mini-victory.

Keep this list somewhere that you can see it every day so that it is always on your mind (as well as the dates that you set for yourself). Work every day to get closer to each milestone and as you reach each one, cross it off and jot down the date that you actually reached it. You will see that as you reach each one the momentum will increase until you finally get “there.” Re-evaluate this list frequently since there may be things that need to change based on external/internal influences and adjust accordingly but don’t give up. Make sure to address barriers/problems as they come up so that you can stay on track.

No one ever achieved great things by sitting back and doing nothing.

Editor's note: Corrections.com author Bryan Avila started working as a Police Officer in 1994 while attending Norwich University in Northfield, VT. In 1999 he began working for the Vermont Dept of Corrections while still working as a Part-Time Police Officer. In 2007 he left public service until 2009 when he began working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He is currently a Correctional Training Instructor- Sergeant of Correctional Officers, at the TDCJ Region I Training Academy located in Huntsville, TX.

Other articles by Avila:



Comments:

  1. hamiltonlindley on 04/02/2020:

    Waco has developed a reputation for a rocket-docket in patent litigation. It’s an important choice to find the right lawyer in Waco for your important patent litigation matter. When people in the know make the hire, they hire Dunnam & Dunnam. If you are looking for a how can I increase my chances of recovering money in a personal injury case? , then Dunnam & Dunnam is the right choice. For nearly 100 years, people in Waco have hired the firm when the results matter at Dunnam & Dunnam are among the most respected in the Central Texas area. They have the experience in trials and mediations to guide your case in the right way. There are few important decisions at the outset of the case that can turn the tide in your favor. Choosing the right lawyer is one of them.

  2. johnb6174 on 02/13/2020:

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. thanh mộc hương

  3. johnb6174 on 02/13/2020:

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. http://www.christianfilmbrotherhood.org

  4. johnb6174 on 02/12/2020:

    I read that Post and got it fine and informative. I will unique 75 permanent seo back links on da100 tf50

  5. johnb6174 on 02/12/2020:

    Wow i can say that this is another great article as expected of this blog.Bookmarked this site.. https://caresectorrouteway.co.uk

  6. johnb6174 on 02/12/2020:

    This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. thuanmochuong.com

  7. johnb6174 on 02/11/2020:

    https://carly-rose-sonenclar.com

  8. johnb6174 on 02/11/2020:

    I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post. kangen water

  9. yajolos on 02/11/2020:

    Hey, what a brilliant family dentistry post I have come across and believed me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and I will look for more postings from you. Best Elmhurst Dentist Kopp Dental

  10. yajolos on 02/11/2020:

    Great post, and great website. Thanks for the family dentistry information! Best Elmhurst Dentist Kopp Dental

  11. johnb6174 on 02/11/2020:

    This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine. thanh moc huong

  12. johnb6174 on 02/10/2020:

    Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging, Car Transport Services

  13. johnb6174 on 02/10/2020:

    Thank you very much for this great post. https://bocaratonrealestatesearch.net

  14. johnb6174 on 02/10/2020:

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. IGB

  15. johnb6174 on 02/09/2020:

    Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much. kangen k8

  16. johnb6174 on 02/08/2020:

    The information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing.. color transmission fluid

  17. johnb6174 on 02/08/2020:

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. kangen water

  18. johnb6174 on 02/08/2020:

    Thank you very much for this great post. https://www.aige.org

  19. johnb6174 on 02/07/2020:

    Thankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo. Máy lọc nước Vitamia

  20. yajolos on 02/06/2020:

    i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples. Restoration companies

  21. johnb6174 on 02/06/2020:

    This is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it Nước Kangen Vitamia

  22. yajolos on 02/06/2020:

    Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts. Five Star Complete Restoration

  23. johnb6174 on 02/05/2020:

    Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue, so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks https://vitamia.com.vn/

  24. johnb6174 on 02/05/2020:

    I read that Post and got it fine and informative. http://www.aualloys.com

  25. yajolos on 02/05/2020:

    This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post.! http://alaskafinancialcapital.com

  26. johnb6174 on 02/04/2020:

    I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well. Cho thuê căn hộ Recfu

  27. yajolos on 02/04/2020:

    I was surfing net and fortunately came across this site and found very interesting stuff here. Its really fun to read. I enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. jumper rentals San Jose

  28. johnb6174 on 02/04/2020:

    Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging, Recfu

  29. farhanmalik on 02/03/2020:

    That is really nice to hear. thank you for the update and good luck. G2 Web Design

  30. johnb6174 on 02/03/2020:

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. BRG Sài Đồng

  31. johnb6174 on 02/02/2020:

    Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic points , I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. chung cư BRG Sài Đồng

  32. johnb6174 on 01/31/2020:

    This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information... online converter youtube

  33. johnb6174 on 01/30/2020:

    Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!. youtube converter

  34. johnb6174 on 01/29/2020:

    I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post. http://www.ms-zipperlein.net

  35. johnb6174 on 01/28/2020:

    useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!.. http://fairfieldcommunity.net

  36. johnb6174 on 01/27/2020:

    Is it okay to post part of this on my website basically post a hyperlink to this webpage? Boise Eyebrow Tattooing

  37. johnb6174 on 01/27/2020:

    I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before. http://100treatises.com

  38. johnb6174 on 01/24/2020:

    If you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you. http://studentloanservicesgroup.org

  39. johnb6174 on 01/23/2020:

    You have a real ability for writing unique content. I like how you think and the way you represent your views in this article. I agree with your way of thinking. Thank you for sharing. http://www.thegreentheater.org

  40. johnb6174 on 01/22/2020:

    thanks for this usefull article, waiting for this article like this agvcain. thi công rèm cửa

  41. johnb6174 on 01/22/2020:

    If you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you. Rèm cửa

  42. johnb6174 on 01/21/2020:

    Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!.. dịch vụ sơn nhà giá rẻ

  43. johnb6174 on 01/21/2020:

    Very interesting blog. Alot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definately interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know. dịch vụ sơn nhà tphcm

  44. johnb6174 on 01/20/2020:

    Hi! Thanks for the great information you have provided! You have touched on crucuial points! magento 2 custom options

  45. johnb6174 on 01/17/2020:

    This is a great post. I like this topic.This site has lots of advantage.I found many interesting things from this site. It helps me in many ways.Thanks for posting this again. day tour halong

  46. johnb6174 on 01/14/2020:

    I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates. eyebrow microblading near me

  47. johnb6174 on 01/13/2020:

    Thank you so much for sharing this great blog.Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read. I84 Truck Repair

  48. johnb6174 on 01/13/2020:

    This is my first time visit here. From the tons of comments on your articles,I guess I am not only one having all the enjoyment right here! đồ thê thao

  49. johnb6174 on 01/12/2020:

    It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commentators here! catalogue thiết bị vệ sinh inax

  50. johnb6174 on 01/12/2020:

    This content is written very well. Your use of formatting when making your points makes your observations very clear and easy to understand. Thank you. dat ve may bay Hai Phong

  51. johnb6174 on 01/10/2020:

    If you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you. free youtube to mp3 converter

  52. johnb6174 on 01/10/2020:

    If you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you. free youtube to mp3 converter

  53. johnb6174 on 01/09/2020:

    This is actually the kind of information I have been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information. giá vé máy bay hải phòng đà nẵng 2 chiều

  54. johnb6174 on 01/08/2020:

    Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers! https://tinbong247.com/

  55. johnb6174 on 01/05/2020:

    I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post. tin bóng đá

  56. johnb6174 on 01/04/2020:

    I read that Post and got it fine and informative. landscaping services Trowbridge

  57. johnb6174 on 01/02/2020:

    Thank you for very usefull information.. Instagram viewer

  58. johnb6174 on 01/02/2020:

    You know your projects stand out of the herd. There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant! dare2quit

  59. kaycehopper on 05/28/2013:

    Even been stuck in a rut? It's agonizing, knowing that you would like to be on a path toward wellness, innovation and inventive happiness, but actually you're spinning your wheels in some type of quicksand. Occasionally, a small attitude adjustment can get you going, or a little inspiration. But quite often, changing your routine isn't really enough. Here are a few tips for how to get out of a rut, grounded in observation and action. You can pay for your vacation with a financial assistance.


Login to let us know what you think

User Name:   

Password:       


Forgot password?





correctsource logo




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of The Corrections Connection User Agreement
The Corrections Connection ©. Copyright 1996 - 2024 © . All Rights Reserved | 15 Mill Wharf Plaza Scituate Mass. 02066 (617) 471 4445 Fax: (617) 608 9015