Sometimes I think that moving toward a goal feels a lot like taking a road trip.

You can choose the highway - sleek, fast, direct. You fly through at 120 km/h, motivational podcast on blast, eyes locked on the destination. No detours, no pauses, just go.

But highways come with terms and conditions.
To take that road, you need to be fully prepared before you even turn the key.
Your vehicle - your body, your brain - must be rested, nourished, focused. You must know your why, carry your tools, and fuel up before you even hit the ramp.

Because on that road, there are no coffee breaks.
And if you burn out - if the fuel of energy or clarity runs dry - you're left stranded on the shoulder, waiting for a rescue you didn’t plan for.

And sure, some people ride like that. Fast, loud, hungry. Because we were told success doesn’t wait.

But speed without sustainability? That’s not mastery - it’s burnout with a better soundtrack.

There’s another route. One that isn’t sexy on paper. Slower, with scenic stops and gas stations and random roadside diners.

The kind of road where you can pull over. Breathe. Stretch your legs. Think.
Where you can see something unexpected - a path, a moment, a version of yourself - and take that detour, without shame.

This isn’t weak. This is intelligent navigation.

Not sleeping 6 nights in a row drops your cognitive performance by 30%. That’s the equivalent of driving drunk. And yet we glamorize hustle and silence rest.

🧭 Emotional intelligence adds: “Check your compass.”
Daniel Goleman’s work shows EQ predicts success better than IQ, not because emotions are soft, but because they give us direction.

🛣 There’s no shame in taking the scenic route.

So maybe… give yourself permission to take the road with turns.
To rest without guilt. To notice the sky. To be present - not just productive.

Because one day, you’ll look back.
And the thing you’ll remember won’t be the speed - it’ll be the story.