Stuck in a rut? These tips can help you get out

There might come a time in your career when you feel as though you’re stuck in a rut. And it could be for any of a number of personal or business reasons.

For example, perhaps the growth of your practice has plateaued; getting referrals seems so much harder; or you are simply not motivated to move things along.

“It can happen to the best of us,” says Aiman Dally, CEO of Copia Financial Solutions in Toronto. “We’ve been doing the same things over and over and often we don’t take the time to look at fresh approaches.

Konrad Kopacz, portfolio manager with Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. in Oakville, Ont., says you can take steps to get yourself out of this rut. “Get out and meet people, attend events and revamp your social media and online content,” he says.

While you may wish to spend time reflecting on why you’re in a rut, you have to find your way back to doing the things that made you successful in the first place — but with a different approach.

“Every action creates a reaction,” Kopacz says. So, any steps you take will in some ways create opportunities to get you back in growth mode.

Here are tips for getting out of a rut:

> Revisit what you do
Take a hard look at the processes and activities in your practice and determine whether you should make any changes, Dally says: “This can sometimes be more difficult than you think because you probably believe you are doing everything you can.”

And when you’re in a rut, he adds, it’s harder to change course. He suggests talking to some of your trusted peers to get a fresh perspective.

You have to get out of your comfort zone, Kopacz says. Focus on what you do well and tweak what you offer, to add variety to your product and service line-up.

> Meet new people
Dally suggests attending networking events and conferences. These events enable you to meet new people and can motivate you to make changes to your business. You can also try to find new centers of influence, opening the door to new referrals.

> Contact existing clients
Even though you’re in a rut, you still have to carry on with your normal business, Kopacz says, which means remaining in contact with your existing clients.

Dally recommends contacting your clients to gauge their satisfaction. “Positive feedback can trigger you into action,” he says, “knowing that you are capable of doing a good job.”

At the same time, you might ask clients for referrals. You also can reconnect with prospects you have not been in touch with recently.

> Reinvigorate yourself
Activities you pursue outside of business can have a positive effect on your business.

Take a break or go on a vacation to recharge your batteries. Consider getting involved in extracurricular or charitable activities. These strategies may seem counter-productive, but your primary goal is to get out of the mindset that is holding you back, Dally says.

For example, he says, participating in team sports might help you regain your competitive spirit. At the same time, “you might be lucky enough to find new prospects.”