Have you heard the first step is to stop digging?

That statement ranks with "Move more, eat less" or "Spend less than you make." We would have put down that shovel long ago if it were so easy. Unfortunately, one last hurrah turns into a month of hurrahs. We say, "I've already spent this much; what's another dollar?" Or my personal favorite, "I'll start Monday." Quite a few Mondays have come and gone. Once ready for a change, follow these three steps to stop digging and get out of that hole.

Step 1 — Get a complete picture of your hole.

The first step is to take an honest, objective look at where you are. If extra weight is the hole you've been digging, get on the scale and see what you weigh. If you're in debt, look at all of your bank, credit card, and loan statements. If your house is a mess, take a picture of each room.

Along with a quick snapshot, keep a record of what you do for a week, or two. For example, if your weight is an issue, write down everything you eat and how much you move/don't move. If you're overspending, track all of your purchases. Don't do anything differently; record everything you do regarding the pit you've been digging.

The goal of measuring our actions is to give us a starting point and ensure we cannot deny we're in a hole. Also, since we can quantify our excavation, we can make a plan to get out of it. The key is to be impartial; without guilt, remorse, or judgment.

Step 2 — Look to Your Future-Self

Now that you know your crater's dimensions and have no judgment about its depth, imagine your future self out of the hole. Lean into this exercise — thoroughly envision the person who has climbed out of the hole and is now above ground.

See how you look, how you spend your time, what you eat, how you feel, and what you buy. Then, see your future self in totality.

Go deep with this. Don't do a 1-minute quick think of how you might look. Instead, go to a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and take at least 30 minutes. Get to the point where you can feel yourself moving through the world as the person who found their way to the surface.

Why do this?

Because seeing your future self above ground, allows for hope and inspiration. It breaks the cycle of negative self-talk and irritation with your current situation. It shows you possibilities — which can be hard to see when you're deep in the muck.

Step 3 — Putting Down the Shovel

"How?" you ask. Thus far, we've only paused digging but haven't put the shovel to rest. Go back to the list you made in step 1 and pick one thing you can work on daily to change. Working on a tiny habit will help build momentum toward the person you are becoming.

In the evening, I found myself eating every snack in the house. I had to stop bringing cookies and chips home. You might see where you can cut back on spending $25 per month, walk 500 extra steps daily, or make your bed as soon as you get out of it. These are all ways to stop digging — to start climbing out of the hole.

No Longer Digging

Saying, "Put down the shovel," has not been enough. Yet, following three steps allows us to stop digging. First, we see where we are without judgment. Then, look to the future past our current predicament. Finally, we are laying down the slightest foundation for rising above the hole.

These steps won't get you completely out of the hole, but they will focus your attention above your present surroundings and stop you from digging. Make one slight improvement at a time and envision yourself out of the hole, living as the person you are becoming. Then, don't pick up that shovel again. Go back and repeat the steps above as often as necessary.