Wrong Turn on the GPS of Life (And Why That’s Okay)
A few days ago, I was driving to a place I’ve been to a dozen times. Out of habit, I plugged the address into my GPS, grabbed my coffee, and started driving.
About fifteen minutes in, something felt… off.
The streets didn’t look familiar. The buildings were different.
Then my phone cheerfully announced: “You have arrived.”
I had not arrived.
I was sitting in front of a completely different building, in a completely different part of town.
For a second, I just laughed at myself. Technology is supposed to make life easier, right? And yet somehow, I managed to get completely lost with step-by-step directions.
Ever had a moment like that? Maybe not with GPS, but in life?
You thought you had it all mapped out. The plan. The checklist. The timeline. And then one day you look around and think:
Wait… how did I end up here?
I think we put way too much pressure on ourselves. We walk through life like we’re supposed to have it all figured out. Like taking a wrong turn—or forgetting the plan—means we’ve failed.
Like that awkward conversation, or the mistake in the meeting, or the moment you froze in front of everyone—those things define you.
They don’t.
What if we treated ourselves the way we’d treat a good friend? What if, next time we stumble, we let it teach us something instead of beating ourselves up?
Here’s the thing: being “off course” doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re human.
Give yourself some grace. Laugh at the absurdity of it all. Don’t linger too long in the frustration or shame. And whatever you do—don’t stop moving.
Life isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about taking the next step, learning as you go, and showing up again, even when the path is unclear.
So the next time you feel lost—whether it’s in a parking lot, a project, or just in your own head—remember: it’s okay. Breathe. Laugh. Take the next step.
You’re not failing. You’re just human. And that is more than enough.
–Steve
As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.
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“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”
About the Author
Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a premier leadership development company based in Scottsdale. As a dynamic and highly sought-after speaker, Steve has delivered over 2,500 impactful presentations to renowned organizations such as Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Spotify, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
A published author and thought leader on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve lives near Scottsdale with his wife, Julie. Together, they cherish time spent with their three adult children and six grandchildren.
