Keri SoVery…

4 Lessons I learned along the Google Rerouted Way

I started out yesterday headed from point A to Point B. My first step in the process was to punch my destination into Google maps and hit Start. In that moment I thought to myself, “why am I still using google maps when I’ve made this trip so many times?” Nevertheless, I began my journey.

It wasn’t even supposed to be a particularly long journey. I considered turning the routing off just to see if I could remember the way, seeing as how I always use google maps. Feeling unsure that I’d remember all the turns I decided to follow my google guide. It really made me realize that I probably run on auto pilot, which can’t be good. I decided I would pay close attention so that next time I could confidently go like I’ve never gone before, unguided.

Then, my trusty guide instructed me to turn at a place that I KNEW was different than my usual route. (I think that’s a good sign that I at least recognized it was different, right? 🤣🤣)

Being the trusting Google maps user that I am, I took the turn. Next thing I knew I was being directed to another turn that felt VERY different than anything I remembered. I quickly scrolled down the list of steps just to be sure I had programmed in the correct destination. The destination listed was in fact the one I intended it to be. The very same one I’d driven to so many times before from the exact same starting point. Yet, I found myself on a route I had NEVER driven before.

I was routed down really small streets which made me nervous since I was driving a big truck. At some point I thought, “should something happen to my google maps, I’m going to be completely LOST!”

Eventually I ended up right where I needed to be and everything was familiar again.

Soon after my arrival, some other folks showed up apologizing for their tardiness. Honestly, I wasn’t even the person they were supposed to be meeting and had no clue they were late. 😂🤣😂🤣 They included in their apology an explanation that traffic was TERRIBLE.

It was then that I realized my trusty pal, google, had probably saved me from a stressful morning stuck in traffic. I also realize now that instead of enjoying the stress relief of avoiding traffic, I had chosen to stress over other aspects of the drive. 🤦🏼‍♀️

For some reason this experience stuck with me throughout the day. I was reminded of some important lessons I’ve learned along the way. Since I still couldn’t get it off my mind today, I figured I must need to share it. Here goes!

1. There is more than one way to get where you are wanting to go. When one way gets blocked, don’t get discouraged. Certainly don’t give up when things seem difficult. You might even need to call on a friend to help you figure out another way. Two heads are better than one, right. Often times a new set of eyes or someone not so close to the situation can see a way you might not even know exists. Their way might even involve a few twists and turns you weren’t expecting, but don’t knock it just because you haven’t tried it. Just check to be sure everyone is clear about the end goal. Truth be told, you might be going that same way again and can always decide next time which way you prefer once you are aware of the various ways to arrive at your destination. Being open enough to receive new ideas is incredibly important here.

2. Just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s the best way or the only way to do something. I feel like I say this a lot in life. We get stuck in ruts sometimes. Maybe it’s better described as being on auto pilot. We might not even realize we always do a particular thing a certain way, right up until someone else does it differently. 🤣😂😂🤣 Especially in business, people get stuck in process ruts. You know you are in a rut when asked, “why do we do it like this?” the most honest answer is “Because we always have.” The best thing we can do is recognize these ruts and be open and willing to consider other options. Remember making your way out of a rut can make for a bumpy ride. The deeper the rut and the longer you’ve been stuck in it, the bumpier the ride. Once you get over the hump of getting out, you just might discover new and amazing things that make life much easier.

3. It is ok to follow sometimes. This can be so difficult for leaders. Leaders are so accustomed to leading that following can make them feel uncomfortable. It can make a leader feel lost and confused, especially if things are being done different from the norm. Following someone else’s lead and trusting that they know what they are doing just isn’t easy. On a positive note, it can also be a nice break. Leaders are often placed in leadership even when they weren’t intending to lead. Somehow it just happens. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sometimes it’s nice to not have to be the leader if one can relax and just follow the leader in place. Recognizing these moments is important. Recognizing leaders you trust enough to follow is even more important. You just might learn something awesome along the way.

4. God Will Make A Way Where There Seems to be No Way. I was raised in a Christian home. I am incredibly thankful for this upbringing. This google moment helped remind me of few things. When we don’t understand why things are the way they are, where we are, or why we are there; God is still in control. Typically there’s a lesson to learn along the way, if we are open to receiving it. We may possibly be being rerouted to protect us from something we don’t even know exists yet. Our reroute just might be so that something new can be revealed to us. We may need to rely on our guide to keep us on track during a confusing time. This reminds me specifically of the words to a song we used to sing in church when I was growing up called God Will Make A Way.

Some times the best thing we can do is trust and believe and follow directions. 😃

I never would’ve thought I’d learn so much from google maps. 🤷🏼‍♀️