Every now and then you may feel as if you have inadvertently stumbled onto the wrong path in life, despite your best intentions to stay on track. Maybe you find yourself stuck in a job that feels stifling or limited, and you have a nagging sense that you are meant to be doing something different. Maybe a relationship that once worked for you no longer does. Or you may even find yourself in a frustrating cycle where things keep going wrong no matter how hard you try to make them better.
Experiences like these can make it seem as if you are hopelessly lost, but it can be helpful to look at the situation in a slightly different way. Imagine if there were truly no “wrong” paths in life after all.
Certainly there are pathways that are enjoyable and beneficial, and those that are destructive and stressful. But even those less desirable paths can still lead to wonderful destinations. Sometimes it might even seem that you are on the wrong path, but you realize later that it was actually the right path. Perhaps your path may have traversed a more scenic route so that you could learn more about yourself and become stronger and wiser through that process of self-discovery. Afterall, it is everything that happens along the journey that allows us to grow, not getting to the ultimate destination.
However, at any time if you do find yourself on a life path that is clearly not serving your highest good, choosing a new path is as simple as making different choices.
The first important step is to objectively assess where you are now, and where you would like to end up. Then consider whether your current path seems to be leading in that direction. If not, consider the reasons for that. Have you been making hasty decisions or acting impulsively rather than carefully planning your steps? Have you been holding back rather than taking action? Are there outer influences or people that keep distracting you or interfering with your progress?
Do what you can to devise a plan to get back on track again. You might realize that you need to be more disciplined in taking the right actions, or you may need to develop some strategies to overcome self-sabotage or procrastination. Come up with a list of clear, actionable steps that you can take each day to ensure that you keep moving in the direction you want to go. Then repeat this assessment process regularly to ensure that you stay on track.
Most importantly, don’t beat up on yourself for going off-track now and then. Even the dark and scary paths can teach you so much about yourself and help you tap into reserves of strength and courage that you never knew you had.
No matter how far off your intended path you may seem to be at any given time, remind yourself that you are never truly lost. You have an inner compass that will always lead you in the right direction no matter how far off your intended path you appear to be at times. Simply turn within, regain your clarity, and adjust your direction as necessary.
