“If you find yourself on the wrong train, get off at the next station.”
Saw this quote today, again. Maybe it is because I’ve been getting off a couple of trains lately-or rethinking all the ones I’ve ever taken. The message seems so simple: if you find yourself on the wrong train, get off at the next station. But is it really as simple as that?
The Comfort Trap
What if the train has gotten comfortable? We’ve got plenty of legroom, a window seat and the views are spectacular. The reminders that we might be on the wrong train come quietly, whispers from the gut rather than blaring alarms. But there’s great company-friends, family, or strangers who seem to know exactly where they’re headed. They enjoy the ride, seem confident in their destination, and that confidence can be contagious. So much so that you tell yourself: Maybe this is it for me too, even though the inspiration just isn’t there anymore. But the train is comfortable and stepping off feels like leaping into the unknown.
Doubt on the Right Train.
Or maybe, its not the wrong train at all. It could be the right train. I mean, we must have believed that when we boarded it. But the reasons that got us on have lost their meaning. Or perhaps, it’s moving too slowly, and impatience has set in. I struggle with this question myself: this desire to change careers. Why now? Why do I want to jump off after working so hard to get here?Doubts creep in. Should I reignite the flame that brought me here, or accept that it’s time for a new journey?
Risks at Every Station
Getting off carries its own share of risks. And has to be very intentional. It might be scary, but staying on for far too long is far more scarier. There’s no guarantee the next one will take us where we hope to go. What if we don’t like it? How many trains can we switch before we run out of time? It’s not as simple as it sounds.
Finding The Right Track
But maybe it can be, if we do it thoughtfully. By asking the hard questions. So, how do we find the right train? It might start with reflections:
Clarify the destination: What does “right” look like. Define values, passions, and goals.
Recognize the signs:Is the current train draining your energy, excitement or alignment with who you want to be?
Try without pressure: Experiment with new paths-creative projects-explore.
Lean on guidance: Friends, mentors or communities that can help illuminate your next steps
Embrace mistakes: The right train may not come along immediately, and that’s okay. Every detour is a chance to learn and grow.
The Journey Beyond Comfort
At the end of the day, stepping off the wrong train is about courage-the courage to risk comfort for growth, familiarity for fulfillment.
The wrong train isn’t failure-it’s just one stop along the journey. And the courage to step off is what sets us us on the right track towards a life that excites.
NdukuOutLoud 
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