Got time to be stuck in a rut?
3 tips to live spontaneously
The alarm clock rings at 5:30 A.M. slapping the snooze button only prolongs the agony.
Ten more minutes of blissful sleep then I will get up. Sound familiar?
This was my life ten years ago. I had almost forgotten what it is like to have to get up every day to the ringing of the alarm clock. Thinking back, I remember one morning when I was mindlessly driving to work and almost hit another car.
Daily routine before working from home
My life before coming home to work was much like everyone else's. I woke to the alarm clock, stumbled to make coffee, hopped in the shower and woke the kids. We ate 
breakfast while I packed their lunches then climbed into the car and off we went. Our week was pretty much the same boring routine day in and day out. The only difference between the kids and me was they wanted to go to school to play with their friends, I did not.
That fateful morning when I almost hit another car, woke me up. I realized I had been going through the motions of living, not really living. I hated my job and did not really like the people I worked with. The paycheck was less than enough to pay the bills.
However, in my mind we needed that money no matter how little it provided. I had no confidence in my abilities and no vision of building a business. Besides, people like me do not have money, education or contacts to be a business owner. Has anyone ever told you that or something along those lines?
For more than twenty years, I worked for someone else building their customer base, building his or her portfolio and profits. I had lost my dream of living a happy life. Life had become like a railroad car on the tracks…predictably boring. I was simply working for a paycheck to put food on the table and a roof over my family’s head. I found myself stuck in a rut.
One day while shopping at the grocery store a friend asked me how I was doing. General question, right? However, when you are in a mood (you know the mood I am talking about) it only takes one question to open the floodgates of your emotions. My innermost thoughts and feelings poured out, my frustrations and yes, even my dreams buried for years. That question was the catalyst that jerked me out of my stupor, it made me think and eventually act to change the course of my life.
Coming home to work helped pull me out of the rut
It did not take long to get out of the rut once I started working from home. It has been a real journey in personal growth for me from where I was back then to where I am today. However, the reality is this. Every day I get to wake up when I wake up with no alarm clock shocking me out of the nightmare and into the reality of working for someone else. No more working with people I do not like or agree with and the best part is no more working just for a paycheck that is a joke at best.
Now I live my life spontaneously. Sure, I work hard to build my business. There is structure; there are many days with long hours. However, when I want to be a grandma, baby-sit the kids or go on a trip with the family I just do it. If a friend calls and wants to have coffee and talk, I just do it. If I feel like taking an afternoon nap (rarely happens anymore since using supplements) I just do it.
The difference in the quality of life living stuck in a rut versus living spontaneously has no comparison. Imagine stress headaches being a thing in your past instead of having one daily. Imagine sleeping through the night without nightmares about the job you hate. Instead, your dreams are vivid, colorful dreams of what your fun future now holds. Imagine having enough money to do what you want when you want.
Imagine your life working from home and not stuck in a rut
Now that your imagination has awakened here are three tips to help you live spontaneously instead of staying stuck in a rut.
- Spirituality – get in touch with your spirituality. We are all born with a physical
body that needs exercise to thrive. Likewise, our inner body or our spirit needs to be exercised, too. Take time to find out who you are, what you believe and then develop that relationship. After all, you cannot give to others what you do not possess.
- Priorities – write down your priorities in order of importance to you. No one can tell
you how or what YOUR priorities should be or which one should be higher than another should. Stick to your priority list, giving attention to the time you have allotted for each priority and then move to the next one. When you give your priorities the proper time and energy your life will run smoothly, you will be happier and feel more fulfilled.
- Work, Fun, Rest – have some fun, lighten up. All of us must work to provide for
our family. We all have a home, food and life’s necessities to pay for. Some of us may be “workaholics”; some “just want to get by” while others like to “play more than work”. The key is BALANCE. Work when you work as if working from home yourself. Play hard like when you were 5 years old on the school playground. Rest when its time to rest and do not feel guilty about it.
I hope that the three tips to living spontaneously will help you imagine your life working from home instead of stuck in a rut. What are your thoughts and tips on existing, stuck in a rut versus living spontaneously? Leave your comments below.
[contentblock id=1 img=gcb.png]
[contentblock id=2 img=html.png]
"Very well put. I've been with a health and nutrition company for over 26 years and I understand exactly what you are going through. I shiver to think what my health might be today at age 68 had I not stuck to my guns as far as practicing what I preach. Yes, I fall off the wagon regularly but my daily routine life reflects taking care of my health. That way I can keep up (somewhat) with my 7 grandchildren. You keep it up, Carla". 
"For most people the thought of venturing out there in pursuit of your dreams, in a place outside of your comfort zones is just what stops them. But I could sense your excitement not resentment in going against the competition. In planting your stake and truly making a difference in the clients experience. That's ultimately what matters, the rest just falls so easily into place. Thanks for that reminder"! 
Carla, I’ve got to say that I LOVE your focus on the joys and challenges facing women over 50. I’m definitely in that camp! I’ve been inspired by your candor, practical ideas, and refreshing determination to joyfully tackle life. The hours we’ve spent on the phone, in person, and through social media have enriched my life immeasurably. YOU are one Fiery Grandma, and I love your style! 
I have known Carla Gardiner for 6+ years. We met at a business training for bring business online. She is a business women at heart and willing to do the hard things to make the results show up. I have watched her run a business, work a job and take care of her family. She is a go getter when it comes to putting in the work to build her business to the level of being able to enjoy her grand kids.
She is the example that age is not a limit it is a tool for sharing knowledge to those she empowers to use their own skills and talents. Excuses are fuel to push her to learn and apply. I have seen her scared to death about implementing new technology and rock it out despite the learning curve.
I love watching you grow into your greatness Carla! Don’t slow down. 
"Carla, you are a model for me to follow. I love your site. And, I like what you have to say - very kind, very gracious. I have to say though that nothing in my life has ever been crystal clear". 
"I've known Carla for 5+ years and can tell you that she has lived every bit of this and more. We shared tears and laughs and hard work....you will enjoy getting to know Carla."
That’s the advantage of working from home. And I’m loving it!
Thank you Andy for dropping in and sharing your accomplishments.
Great post! Finding time to rest is indeed essential no matter how busy you can get. How do you make the most of your rest time?
Great question, Lorii. When I work I give it 110% then when it’s time to play or relax I give that my all as well. For me relaxation is one of three things; either playing with my grandkids, traveling or scrapbooking the memories of all the above. How about you?
I’ve worked for myself for the greater part of my career, with just a few exceptions where I went to explore, grow and learn from opportunities afforded by a job. (So I admit I don’t have the “J.O.B revulsion” I see in so many.) I stayed long enough to bring value to the company and to achieve upleveling for me: a fair trade. But, no doubt: working for myself, whether in an office or in my home, is what brings me the greatest satisfaction. Is it easy? Not necessarily. Is it glorious? Absolutely!
Right on, Sharon. I couldn’t have said it any better. Your mental attitude sets the example we all should follow. Find the up in the situation and run with it even it you are stuck in a rut; it’s another opportunity to learn and grow.
Great post and reminder to always strive for balance in our lifes. I have worked on my own for six years now and love the flexibility just as you do. It does take perseverance, patience and a lot of planning.
Sure does Terri. But, if a persons drive is strong enough, their desire deep enough the journey of working at home is well worth it, ruts and all.
I’ve always had a flexible schedule at work, even before – but working for myself is the best.
You are so right, Simona. It’s nice to learn from experts like yourself, those who have worked for themselves at home and have the kinks all worked out.
Guess I was one of the lucky ones who loved her job. Maybe because I was helping people. Didn’t love my agency of some coworkers but I never let that get in my way of my mission/purpose in life. Now I have a new business and I love working from home for myself. I always knew that balance was a key factor, whether juggling kids, marriage, work, fun, friends and have figured it out. Glad to learn more about you Carla.
Thank you Roslyn. I think I’m the one who is going to learn a lot from a professional like yourself.
Excellent tips Carla! Working from home, doing what I love to do, has made all the difference in my life!
Good to hear Meli. I’m with you. Working from home, even when I find myself stuck in a rut is better than building someone else’s dream.
I loved this post and all 3 tips Carla. I think everyone can relate to that moment when, as you say, ‘you are in a mood (you know the mood I am talking about) it only takes one question to open the floodgates of your emotions.’ Your insights are wonderful – thank you!
Thank you Dawn. Reading your comment made me sit back and wonder…maybe when I’m in that mood I better not write down my thoughts. ha ha ha Seriously though, sharing the ups and downs of building a business should be shared, don’t you think?
I too realized I was stuck in a rut last year. I really want to work from home full time. I have been working hard at building my own business for the past year, but seem to been having problems keeping the momentum going right now. Any suggestions?
Don’t stress over finding yourself in a rut, Michelle. I think we all find ourselves there occasionally. The good news is you recognized it and can now pull yourself up and out of it. As for suggestions…the best I found is to change up your routine throughout the day. By doing that your rut gets shuffled and your day flows better, too.
HI Carla, I too LOVE working from home! I just found a great system that helped me really be productive today and now I am rewarding myself by blog-hopping! LOL. I came right to your site. I’ll share what I learned on my blog and on my facebook page asap. Blessings, Amy
Thank you Amy. I know how busy you are building your business. Thank you for helping me to share my message of hope and the system we have both found to build our online businesses. Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to and have learned…
Work, Play, Rest is excellent advice. I am glad you shared your story and how the changes you made in your life most likely saved your life. I love owning my own business, and because I create, market, ship and mentor I really have to remind myself to take a break. Thanks!
Thank you Robin. I hope you do take a break, enjoy the journey…it’s never over.
I started working for myself 5 years ago. I don’t work from home but I do work for myself. So I love going to work each and every day. I know that soon I won’t have to be coming to work everyday since we are building systems to have the business work for us. I’ll be on the beach somewhere while sales are still coming in.
Love it Kelly. You will continue to inspire others to build their dreams and avoid getting stuck in a rut, too.
Great inspiration. I’m so glad working from home has worked out for you!
Thank you Tina. I think working for yourself, building the business of your dreams can fulfill you and keep you out of the rut whether it’s from home or at an office like yours.
Love your post, Carla, especially great advice … “Work, Fun, Rest.” I, too, worked for someone else for many years. I prefer to work from home now. It is not easy, as some folks may think but it is so worth it. Thanks so much for such an inspiring post.
Thank you Alexandra. You are so right, working at home for yourself takes guts, perseverance and time. The key is to find a balance – when you work, work; when you rest, rest; when you play, play hard. When you find that balance you will not get stuck in a rut like so many do.
I always try to keep things fresh, so i do not get in a rut, but that does not mean i do not get stuck.. Nice Article!
Thank you Robert. You inspire me to keep things fresh by your reminders and articles. Thank you for helping all of us learn the art of marketing using circles in the Dojo…Kungphoo!