Stuck on the hamster wheel

I am currently feeling like a hamster stuck on its wheel. Running, running running. But am I getting anywhere substantial?

Chalk it up to the end of the teaching year, or maybe the shift of nicer weather changing my routine.

But the wheel spins on and sometimes the progress does not match.

There are a lot of things we all have to get done every day. And every week. And every month. Deadlines come and go and we usually hit them well enough. The wheel turns. But we don't feel like we are making an impact. We aren't feeling fulfilled.

Think back to what your actions were when you felt most impactful.

Think back to what you were feeling when you felt most fulfilled.

What is one, small shift you can make right now to direct towards that person again?

It could be:

1. Complete the two-minute task you have been pushing off

2. Pick up the phone and make that call

3. Schedule the appointment/meeting

4. Ask a coworker/peer for help

5. Write the email. even if it is just the introduction

Notice that I did not list any checklist to create, reevaluations, or to-dos to think over.

When we are not feeling fulfilled, checklists, to-dos, and evaluations are the things that keep the wheel moving.

It makes you THINK you are moving in a productive direction. But the wheel does not win the race.

Action does.

Take one step. One action right now.

Rewriting your to-do list is not action. It is anticipation.

The first thing that comes to mind of what you need to do, start it. Even if it is just heading the document. Or pull up the person's phone number.

Action is stepping off the wheel and walking.

You will feel the reward even when it is something so minute it feels too easy. Do the easy.

Find that one action, real action. And take one step off the wheel.