Ready, Set, Reset: Get Out of Survival mode & Into Purposeful Action
Life gets busy - like, really busy. Whether it’s the demands of work, family, or just keeping up with day-to-day responsibilities, it can feel like you’re constantly putting out fires. Before you know it, you're shifted into survival mode. Just doing your best to get through the day. But what if you could hit reset, refocus, and step back into control?
That’s where the Ready Set Reset ritual comes in. It’s not about adding more to your plate or tackling everything at once. Instead, it’s about getting deliberate with your time and energy, making meaningful decisions, and letting go of what’s weighing you down. This simple, yet powerful process helps you move out of the frenetic pace of survival and into purposeful, aligned action.
Why Do You Need to Hit Reset?
It happens to all of us. One minute you’re handling everything just fine, and the next, you’re overwhelmed. Everything feels urgent, and there’s never enough time, there’s never enough you. You’re just checking things off the list, trying to stay afloat.
When you find yourself in this state, it's time to hit reset - not just physically, but mentally. Our brains need a reset because, especially when we get into a cycle of survival, we're just doing all the things and trying to keep our heads above water. Your mind needs space to breathe and refocus. Otherwise, it’s like driving without a map, dodging obstacles and doing our best to stay between the yellow lines, but never really making our way to somewhere specific.
Step Out of Survival and Into deliberate Living
The Ready Set Reset ritual is designed to give you that moment of pause. It’s a chance to stop, look around, and take stock of where you are - and, more importantly, where you actually want to be.
When we’re in survival mode, we let our to-do lists and external stressors drive us. But it’s time to step into the driver’s seat. We’ve been letting the tasks, the stress, and all the things drive, and we’re just dodging obstacles. We need to put all of that in the back seat and take over.
The Power of Ritual
This isn’t just about getting things done. A ritual is different from a routine in that it’s about both intention and connection. You’re not just checking off boxes; you’re creating space to be thoughtful and deliberate with your actions.
I love to frame this as more than just a reset for your schedule or to-do list; it’s a reset for your mindset. It’s about getting out of the reactive state of perpetually doing, and shifting into a place of clarity and purpose. Whether you’re setting aside time in the morning with your favorite cup of coffee or creating a quiet moment to breathe and reflect in the evening, this reset is about you. It’s a pause that allows you to realign with what matters.
Start by Setting the Tone
Before diving in, ask yourself: ‘How do I want to feel?’ This is the foundation of the ritual. Take a moment to jot down three feelings you want to cultivate moving forward. Maybe it’s feeling more grounded, prepared, or confident. Whatever it is, get clear on the emotions you’re striving for, and write them down. This simple act will help set the tone for everything that follows.
Now, ask yourself: ‘What needs to change to feel this way?’ If you want to feel prepared, maybe that means checking your calendar each morning. If you want to feel confident, you might need to streamline your daily tasks to focus on what matters most. This is where you start making deliberate shifts.
Get It All Out of Your Head
One of the key steps in this ritual is what I like to call a "thought deposit" - because, let’s be honest, the term "brain dump" can sound a little too harsh. You’re not throwing away thoughts; you’re simply organizing them. Grab a notebook or your tablet, and write down everything that’s taking up mental space. Tasks, appointments, things you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to - everything goes on the page.
Your brain isn’t meant to hold onto all of this stuff. Your brain is not a repository. It’s meant for processing, for problem-solving, for dreaming and scheming. Once it’s all out in front of you, you can start sorting through it.
Decide What Matters Most
Now comes the fun part - deciding what to do with all the stuff you’ve been holding onto. Look at each item on your list and ask two questions: (1) Is it impactful? (2) Is it urgent?
From there, you’ll decide whether to:
Do it: It’s important and needs to happen now.
Defer it: It’s important but can wait.
Delegate it: It’s urgent, but someone else can handle it.
Dismiss it: It’s neither urgent nor impactful. Let it go.
This process helps you clear the clutter and reorient on what truly matters.
Take Action
Once you’ve sorted your list, it’s time to break it down. Choose your top three “do” items - these are the tasks that matter most right now. Write them down and start thinking about the steps required to get them done. This is where intention meets action. Consider each item, whether it’s a high-effort project or a quick, low-effort task, examine what’s needed or what needs to happen to execute on each item through to completion. This step will help you set the stage to move forward with confidence.
It isn't just about crossing things off your list. It’s about making mindful decisions with your time and energy. It’s not about action for action’s sake. The purpose of this reset is to get out of survival and into purposeful, aligned action.
Your New Normal
Imagine waking up each day knowing where to focus your energy and feeling empowered to take on the challenges ahead. That’s the power of hitting reset. This ritual helps you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling in control, from surviving to thriving. It’s the first step toward consistent planning practices that keep you aligned with your goals and intentions.
So, grab a cozy spot, a warm cup of coffee, and give yourself permission to reset. You deserve to live each day with clarity, purpose, and ease.
