The Wrong Train

There's a Japanese proverb: "If you realize you're on the wrong train, get off at the next station."

That doesn't mean after you've traveled far enough to justify the ticket price. Or once you've made the trip worthwhile.

It means the next station.

But it's hard to do this.

We stay on the wrong train because we've already invested time. Because we told people we were going to do something. Because the ticket was expensive. Because getting off means admitting we made a mistake.

But the train doesn't care about your sunk costs. It's not going to change direction because you really, really want it to.

Yes, keeping your word matters. Persistence matters. But there's a difference between keeping a promise and keeping a mistake.

Every station you pass is another station further from where you need to be.

The productive move isn't to ride it out. It's not to wait for perfect clarity about your destination. It's to notice you're on the wrong train and pull the cord.

The next station is coming up. Are you ready?