Am I On the Right Track? 14 Tips to Know for Sure!

I have struggled with knowing whether or not I’m on the right track. When I was a lot younger, I had my dreams. Dreams I still have to this day. At 46, I still haven’t achieved my dreams. I looked at a lot of my old high school peers, most of which seem to be living a great life.

Of course, I only see what they choose to share on social media. But it did get me thinking. How did I get so far off track from my dreams. I work in a retail job which was never part of my plan. I was miserable, but then somehow got into merchandising and books/magazines. It is a little less miserable than being a cashier. I don’t want to be doing that long term.

I looked back over my life. Where did I make the wrong turn?

I know a lot of it has to do with my depression and social anxiety. But when did it start?

Was it when my family moved to the big city when I was in grade three? I was the new kid on the block in a class full of kids who knew each other since grade primary. I often felt left out and was bullied.

Was it when in high school my guidance counselor told me to give up my dreams because my grades weren’t good enough despite the fact that I didn’t need university to be a writer?

Was it as a young adult when I took the first job I could get, in a fast food joint, which wasn’t the right job for me? This job eventually paved the way for me to be pigeon-holed into customer service, which isn’t my forte.

Was it in my mid-twenties when after a long line of crushes, one person gave me a second chance, and ended up treating me like I’m nothing? I felt like I didn’t deserve better because I never believed I could have it. I took what I could get because I didn’t think I would ever be in a relationship.

Was it when I finally left the relationship, ended up in a shelter for several months, and again took the first job I could get – the only one that granted me an interview – in an industry I never thought I would be in (retail)?

Perhaps it was one of those. Or perhaps none. I know now that at any point in my journey I could have changed my direction.

The problem was that I never had the confidence or belief in myself to get on the right track.

Apologies for a long-ish post, but I want to give some tips on how to know you’re on the right track, and how to get back on track if you’re not.

Buckle up, this is going to be a bumpy ride!

Am I On the Right Track?

How exactly do you know you’re on the right track? Or at least close to it?

1. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You accept your flaws, and feel comfortable with who you are.
2. You have an attitude of gratitude and appreciate the good things in your life.
3. You’re actively pursuing your passion and working towards goals every day.
4. You see real progress in your life.
5. You are on the path of continual learning. You are open to new experiences, knowledge, and personal growth.
6. You have a positive outlook on your future and the world around you, despite challenges and obstacles you may face.
7. You work through obstacles with courage and determination, instead of cowering. You bounce back from setbacks and learn from your mistakes.
8. You have a high level of emotional intelligence.
9. You have strong, supportive connections with others.
10. You’re making a difference in other people’s lives.
11. You have financial stability. You’re able to cover your basic bills and have savings.
12. You’re finding joy in the journey, and not just the destination.
13. You’re a different person from who you were a year ago. You are constantly working on bettering yourself as a person.
14. You let everything in your past go. You let go of your bad habits. You let go of negative people in your life. You let go of that soul crushing job.

OK. So you just realized you’re horribly off track. Your train has completely derailed. All is not lost. Before you look at the flaming wreckage, shrug your shoulders, and accept your lot in life, read on for some tips that can get that train back up and running in the right direction.

1. Identify the detour. Reflect on what went wrong. Understand what led you off track. Was it a specific event, decision, or pattern of behaviour?
2. Reflect on your values. What are you core values? What matters most to you in life? What do you stand for? Do you live your values every day? Are your current choices and actions aligned with your values? Be honest with yourself. If not, it’s OK. You can change that, but you have to see where you’re at right now.
3. Pay attention to your intuition (gut feelings). What is your intuition telling you about your current path?
4. Trust your instincts. Are you trusting your instincts and making decisions that feel right for you?
5. Redefine what success means to you. What does success look like in different areas of your life? It’s OK if it doesn’t match what other people think success looks like.
6. Discover your passions. What activities make you feel alive and engaged?
7. Pursue your passions. Incorporate your passions into your life and work.
8. Evaluate your goals. What goals do you have on the go? Are they aligned with where you want to be?
9. Set clear goals. What do you want to achieve in different areas of your life?
10. Track your progress. Are you making progress towards your goals?
11. Positivity. Surround yourself with positive influences and be positive yourself. Are the people around you supportive and encouraging?
12. Seek guidance. Consider seeking guidance from mentors, coaches, or therapists who can offer valuable insights and support.
13. Be kind to yourself. Remember that it’s OK to make mistakes and veer off course sometimes. We all get off track at some point in our lives.
14. Focus on progress, not perfection. Prioritize progress and growth over perfection. Just as long as you’re further along today than you were yesterday, you are on the right track. 15. Celebrate your progress. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

I hope this article helped you out. I personally veered off track and am currently working on getting back on track. When I write a blog post, it’s about something I’m currently facing or have recently faced.

We’re in this together.

What are you challenges? Are you on track? What are you going to do? What small change are you going to make for a better life?

Let me know in the comments!

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Be awesome and may your life be passionate!