Ever realize you’re on the wrong track, but you keep riding anyway?

It happens to the best of us. We notice the signs. The view changes. The air feels heavier. We catch that whisper in the back of our mind that says, This isn’t where I’m meant to be.

And still… we stay seated.

We stay because it feels easier than pulling the emergency brake. We stay because we’ve invested too much time, energy, identity to “waste it” now. We stay because stopping feels like failing.

But here’s the truth that stings and also sets you free:

The longer you stay on the wrong train, the more expensive it becomes to get home.

And it’s not just a financial bill. It costs joy, alignment, health, relationships, and confidence.

The Hidden Costs of Staying Too Long

I’ve seen it in clients who already knew their role, career path, or even their lifestyle didn’t fit. They stayed out of habit, fear, or obligation.

At first, the cost is subtle.

• Your mornings start slower.
• Your energy dips more often.
• The spark you once had fades.

Then it compounds.

• You feel disconnected from your work.
• You doubt your abilities.
• You stop dreaming because it feels safer not to want more.

And all the while, the scenery outside the window is moving you further from where you want to be.

Rerouting Isn’t Giving Up

When we reframe leaving as rerouting, everything changes. You’re not abandoning the journey, you’re choosing a track that leads to the life you want.

How to Reroute Without Burning It All Down

1. Name the train you’re on. Please write it down in plain language.

• “I’m on the middle-management train in a company whose mission no longer inspires me.”
• “I’m on the ‘people-pleasing’ train that keeps me overcommitted and resentful.” Naming it takes it from a foggy feeling to something you can see clearly.

2. Identify the cost. Ask:

• What is this taking from me each week?
• If nothing changes, how will this feel in six months? Write your answers in a journal. When the costs outweigh the comfort, you’ll know you’re ready.

3. Map your station stops. Think in phases, not leaps:

• Research three roles or industries that interest you.
• Build one new skill by the end of the quarter.
• Start networking with people in your desired direction.

4. Find your transfer point. A “transfer point” is a bridge between now and next. It might be:

• A temporary project role
• A freelance contract
• By reducing your hours to explore options, Bridges makes the shift less overwhelming.

5. Pack light for the journey. This means releasing old expectations:

• You don’t need a five-year plan before you step off.
• You don’t need universal approval.
• You can permit yourself to change your mind.

One Client’s Story

A client of mine stayed in a senior nonprofit role for two years after she knew it was the wrong fit. She was afraid her résumé would look unstable. Once she reframed her move as a reroute rather than a resignation, she took a part-time consulting role, which gave her time to explore impact-driven companies that aligned with her values. Six months later, she was in a role that energized her every day.

Reflection for the Week: What “train” are you still riding, even though you know it’s not taking you where you want to go? What would it look like to pause, reorient, and choose your track today?

If you’re ready to reroute… I help professionals step off the wrong train and find the right one, without losing momentum, identity, or confidence in the process. Book your clarity session here → https://calendly.com/markdanaher/30-minute-complimentary-strategy-session