Many people have faced that exact crisis: recognizing that the route they’re traveling wasn’t their true calling. They expected a straightforward journey but encountered unexpected twists—job loss, broken relationships, health crises, or deep dissatisfaction. These moments test our resilience and demand course correction.

Take, for example, the story of J.K. Rowling, who faced poverty and rejection before finding her true path as the author of the Harry Potter series. She didn’t start her career intending to be a best-selling author, but after hitting the “wrong side” of the road in her life, she adjusted her route. Instead of giving up, she navigated toward a new path that brought fulfillment and success.

Research backs this up: a 2019 study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that career setbacks often motivate people to discover more authentic and satisfying professional paths, leading to greater happiness and productivity.

Now, of course, this is not just about what you are doing in your career. You might say you don’t have a career, you have a calling. However, look at it from the perspective of what God divinely designed for you.

You get to decide what you do every day and how you do it. Personal or professional, you get to choose.

So instead of being miserable and caught up in what everyone else is telling you to do, take a pit stop.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Take a pit stop!

What if you were to really think about what you are actively doing every day, what side of the road you’re on, so to speak? What if you consider what’s working and what’s not? Maybe you need to watch the speed limit signs, too.

Just doing the same thing over and over again is not going to make things better. Yes, you know what to expect. But that does not mean you should keep doing it.

If there is a pothole in the middle of the road where you drive every day, do you think you should run over it just because it’s there? NO! You can change lanes or swerve to avoid it.

This whole idea of living your life with a miserable badge of honor makes no sense. Now, that also doesn’t give you free rein to be reckless. Connect your head and your heart and see what you can do to move from the wrong side of the road where God is leading.

So how do you move from the wrong side of life’s road onto the one that aligns with the life that God—or your deepest sense of calling—created for you? Here are three no-nonsense steps:

1. Stop and Reassess Your Direction
   You can’t fix your journey while barreling forward blindly. Pause, get honest about where you are versus where you want to be. Ask yourself: What am I doing that feels off? What’s the cost of staying on this route? Clarity comes from reflection, journaling, or talking with trusted mentors who won’t sugarcoat your situation.
2. Redirect with Intentional Action
   Once you see the wrong road, make deliberate moves to shift lanes. This could mean learning new skills, saying no to toxic relationships, or setting healthier boundaries. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—momentum builds the minute you take clear steps away from what does not serve you.
3. Build a Support System and Keep Course-Correcting
   Few people reach their intended highway solo. So surround yourself with people who encourage your growth and align with your vision. Remember, hitting roadblocks doesn’t mean failure; it signals the need for adjustment. Stay flexible, keep your bigger destination in mind, and course-correct as life unfolds.

In essence, life as a highway isn’t about avoiding every bump or wrong turn; it’s about steering yourself back, over and over, to the road that fits your true purpose. When you do, you stop drifting in frustration and start driving with confidence—knowing the road ahead was meant for you all along.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“