A spring clean of your to-do list will help you get out of a rut, says human behaviour expert Dr John Demartini.
If you are struggling to find direction and fulfilment, then doing an inventory on how you spend your time will help.
It will highlight where you are wasting your time on energy-sapping activities that aren't important, says Dr Demartini - who is in Australia on a speaking tour.
When you prioritise the things most important to you - those things or people that inspire you to act - and throw out the rest you will break through plateaus and barriers to get out of ruts, he says.
According to the prolific author, feeling frustrated and drained are signs you may be in a rut and don't have your priorities right.
If you are on the right track you will know because "success leaves clues".
"When you are doing something that is meaningful, you are fully engaged, you are inspired, you have more energy ..."
Anytime you are not doing that you are feeling just the opposite.
"You feel like you are a victim of history instead of a master of your destiny," he said.
So, if you are thinking of spring cleaning your garage, pay someone else to do it - if you can afford it - and go do something fulfilling to avoid developing negative attitudes, advises Dr Demartini.
STEPS TO BREAKING OUT OF A RUT
* Make a list of everything you do in a day, both personal and professional.
* Ask these questions: How much is a particular activity producing an hour? How meaningful is it? How much time do you spend doing it?
* Decide exactly what you would love to change
* Learn from past experience
* Set practical, not impossible, goals.
