What did we ever do before GPS? Wait, I know! It was a map and landmarks, and our natural instincts on where to go. If we were in an unfamiliar area, it involved a lot of planning and preparation to make sure we got to where we needed to be. But we did it. Oftentimes, the hardest part about following a map was being able to fold it up afterwards, right? 😊
I hate getting lost. I get so anxious when I don’t know where I’m going and I’m not in control. That’s why I’m so thankful for that lady inside of the GPS politely telling me what to do next. I’ve often imagined her raising her voice at me or chastising me for not following her directions when I miss a turn or feel that I have a better way.
But she doesn’t and I try to follow her directions as best I can (I wish I was as kind as her when dealing with difficult people). I’ve often thought that this technology has made me lazy and I just blindly follow her lead. But if I’m honest, I’ve always been directionally challenged… with or without a GPS. 
I’m going to tell you one of my first memories of feeling lost and scared. In fact, it is one of my first memories ever.
I was just a little guy and remember riding with my grandpa in his big clunky car. We were in an area that he was unfamiliar with and I remember he and my grandma having a conversation in the front seat where she was asking him, “you’re lost, aren’t you?”
He admitted that he was unclear as to where we were and that we might be late to wherever we were going at the time. Now to me, my grandpa was the one person I saw as the strongest, smartest and most levelheaded person in the world.
I remember thinking, “how in the world could this great man be lost?” I was suddenly very scared and started to cry. If my grandpa didn’t know where we were then we must be nowhere, and all hope was lost.
I remember my grandma turning around and trying to console me and telling me that everything was going to be OK and that grandpa was just trying to find his way to wherever we were going. That didn’t help! That only confirmed my worst fears that WE WERE LOST!
At this point I remember my grandpa pulling over to check what I can only assume was a map. He then he leaned over and said something that changed everything for me.
He called me by a special nickname that only he used and said these words, “Don’t worry, we’re not lost, we’re just learning. We’re just learning what this part of the city looks like and we are also learning how not to go next time. We will be just fine!”
I don’t know how I can describe it other than the fact that I immediately felt peace and did not worry any longer. Needless to say, we made it to our destination fine.
About 10 years later I was with my dad and two of my brothers in a large city on a short vacation. Our plane had landed and we got in our rental car and started to drive to our destination. Well, as you can probably guess by the theme of this post, we got lost.
Now I regarded my dad like I regarded my grandpa. Both were made from the stuff of greatness. It is funny how one can recall things from their past, but I remember hearing my grandpa’s voice in my head telling me, “Don’t worry, we’re not lost, we’re just learning…”
We were so lost that a map was no help and my dad was forced to stop at a gas station for directions. I was old enough to know that something was off. There were very few people on the street and there were bars on every window at the gas station.
My dad walked into the gas station to ask for directions and in about 15 seconds came out walking very fast telling us to fasten our seat belts and we were leaving. Apparently, the attendant told my dad to get back in our car and to leave quickly as we were in a very bad part of town known for its heavy crime rate. The attendant told my dad a direction to go and to find another place to get directions and my dad complied.
It was at that point that I heard the other part of my grandpa’s message in my head, “We’re just learning what this part of the city looks like and we are also learning how not to go next time. We will be just fine!”
It’s funny, but all these years later I can still hear those wise words and still remember how I felt better knowing that we would be fine. After all, the two greatest men I’ve ever known assured me of that fact.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
I have gotten myself lost plenty of times during these past few years of starting my online business. There have been times when I have thought I’m never going to get past some of the situations and issues I’ve encountered, and that I’m just going to be stuck forever while I’m trying to figure it out.
I have been so lost on occasion that, while I’ve never even considered giving up, I’ve considered changing directions multiple times in order to avoid what I perceived were wrong turns and bad decisions.
Fortunately, I have something like a GPS to help me. I have amazing coaches and mentors and I am part of a community that is there to assist me when I do get lost. I have called on them multiple times and have been assured that I am on the right path and there is no need to change my course completely but possibly alter it a little bit. I blogged about this before – the importance of a community as well as professional guidance.
When I get lost in my business, I remember the words, “I’m just learning.” I’m learning that this is all new to me and I need to give myself a break and some grace. I’m learning that I can get out of just about any situation with a little bit of help from my mentors and community. I’ve also learned to listen to their advice and consider making some adjustments. Finally, I am learning where I want to be, and I am also learning how to avoid things that may not get me to my destination.
I believe there will always be situations that will give me the feeling of being lost. It’s just part of owning your own business. As long as I change my mindset to focus on the here and now and try to remain positive and try to learn, I can succeed.
Here are five things you can do to put you back in the right mindset when you feel lost and overwhelmed in your business:
1. Reconnect with Your “Why”
Take a few quiet minutes to remember why you started. Write it down. Whether it’s freedom, impact, or providing for your family—reconnecting to that core reason can reset your focus and motivation.
2. Simplify Your Priorities
When you’re overwhelmed, cut the clutter. Pick one clear goal for the week—like getting one sale, improving one product, or posting consistently—and put all your energy there. Simplicity brings clarity.
3. Talk It Out
Grab a mentor, peer, or friend and talk honestly about how you’re feeling. Verbalizing confusion often reveals hidden solutions. Don’t isolate—business is hard, and connection is fuel.
4. Make a Small Win Happen
Momentum kills confusion. Do something simple but productive today—like updating your website, sending a follow-up email, or brainstorming for 15 minutes. Small wins = big shifts in energy and mindset.
5. Look at Failure as Data to learn from
Instead of seeing setbacks as proof you’re lost, treat them like valuable feedback. Ask yourself: “What is this teaching me?” Every misstep is part of the map.
I still get lost even though I have the convenience of the GPS (which isn’t always perfect, by the way). And I still feel the anxiety of being out of control until I remember the wisdom I heard when I was just a little boy to always be learning.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? How do you get out of that mindset so that you can make progress and not settle for being lost? I’d love to hear your thoughts and I’d love to learn from you.
Later this weekend, I think I’ll take a drive with my wife on one of these country roads we have in my part of the world and turn off the GPS. There’s something to be said about taking a break and getting lost on purpose.
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston S. Churchill
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I’m so bad at directions, I once got lost in a one-way conversation.
I once got so lost while driving, my GPS just sighed and said, “Seriously?”
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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Ernie, this really spoke to my own experience, especially as I build my online business and try to learn new skills like AI and affiliate marketing. I’ve definitely felt “lost” at times—unsure which way to go or what to focus on—but I remind myself I’m still learning. Having a mentor and community to turn to, like you mentioned, has been a lifeline. I love your grandpa’s words—“we’re just learning” is something I’ll carry with me too. Thanks for sharing such a powerful story in such a relatable way.
Hi Atif – Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your very nice comments. Yes, you get it! We are always in the process of learning and should never lose sight of the opportunities we have to experience new things and learn from the good, the bad and the ugly. Have a great week!
Ernie, loved the analogy. Being lost is just a learning experience. I’ve seemed to be finding my way in this online journey, or at least for the moment. Thanks for the inspiring message!
Hi Ke – I completely agree! Getting lost is a way to learn new things! Thank you for your visit and have a great and productive day!
Hey Ernie,
I can definitely relate to this one. I have also done the thing where I feel lost in my online business and I feel like changing direction – and I have done exactly that more times than I can count. I like the way you tied your story in to the lesson about regaining your focus and staying on track.
I also know exactly what it is like trying to fold the damn map up again when you’re finished with it. My children don’t know that feeling…
Looking forward to your next post.
Hi Sean – Getting lost and changing directions and doing both at the same time is what I’ve done so many times. Both in business and in my personal life. It can be so frustrating and that is okay as long as we get past the frustration and get to our destination. Being lost is part of the process. I don’t necessarily want to embrace become he lost but I want to embrace what I can get out of it. And yes, our children will never know the struggle of trying to refold the map! 🙂
That story about your grandpa was so touching—I felt that moment of calm wash over me just reading his words: “We’re not lost, we’re just learning.” He’s so right too. That’s definitely something I’m going to remember when I’m in the car getting angry at my Sat Nav! I totally relate to the anxiety of feeling lost—both on the road and in life—and your reminder to give ourselves grace was exactly what I needed today. I’m going to keep that phrase in my back pocket- Thank you
Hi Sarah – It is amazing that we can learn from the wisdom of not just our elders but sometimes our peers and even our children. In this case his message to me pops up quite often in my life even though I probably heard it like 45 or 50 years ago. I do miss my grandpa, but I have his life lessons in my head and in my heart. I am glad to know that you found value in this. That makes telling my silly stories all worthwhile! Have a fantastic week, my wonderful friend!
Wow, Ernie—this one hit me right in the heart. That moment with your grandpa? Pure gold. “We’re not lost, we’re just learning” is exactly the kind of mindset shift I try to help my own readers adopt when it comes to aging and health. Whether it’s navigating new wellness routines or managing chronic issues, so many of us feel “off track” when really… we’re just figuring out what works (and what doesn’t).
Your story is such a beautiful reminder that even when we’re uncertain, we’re still moving forward—and often gathering the exact wisdom we’ll need for the next leg of the journey.
Can’t wait to read more—do you ever intentionally “get lost” in business just to see what new direction you might discover?
Hi Alison – I follow you closely and I totally get what you are trying to convey. I have made many mistakes not only nutrition and exercise, but in life decisions and your content helps to put people back on track without making them feel guilty or bad. Thank you for your very nice comments about my post and about my grandpa. As far as your question of ever getting intentionally lost? That is a really good one. I had to think about it a lot. I want to say no but if I’m totally honest, I do. I want to be a disruptor in a way that changes my life and others. And if that requires me to get a little lost at times, then I’m happy to endure that frustration because I know the outcome will be fantastic! Thank you for your comments!
Hi Ernie,
Great blog and, as always, love the story behind it!
Funny thing, when I joined the army, it was still a “compass & map” game and then came the GPS! My lord, I was speaking to a few young enlisted personnel and they couldn’t understand how we got to where we wanted without a GPS!!
Love your 5 mindset points; I think that the past months have shown me how important these small points can be!
Hi Marc – It is great to see you through your comments on my blog post. Thank you for your visit! It really is amazing that people a few years younger than us don’t understand the reality of a map and how it was our GPS. Don’t get me wrong, I love my GPS. But if I’m completely honest, it has made me a little lazy as I rely on it so much now. I look forward to continuing following you as you progress in your journey. Wishing you a fantastic week, my friend!
Great post, Ernie! I love how you turned the fear of being lost into a lesson about learning. Feeling lost is just part of growing, whether in life or business. Those five tips are super helpful, especially reconnecting with your “why” and treating failures as data. When I feel overwhelmed, I take a walk to clear my head and focus on one small task to get back on track. Thanks for sharing such a relatable story and practical advice!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – Thank you for your visiting my blog posted for your nice comments. Those tips were helpful to you, and I hope they resonate with others as they’ve been very helpful to me. We’ve all been lost, and the key is to be patient and mindful so that we can get past those difficulties. Have a wonderful week!
Ernie, your quote that say folding a map wasn’t a piece of cake made me laugh. This reminds me plenty of good souvenirs.😆 Also what your grand father said about “we’re not lost, we’re learning” is wise and humble. In my case, when I get lost with my wife, my ego always force me to pretend I’m not so I like to prove I got everything under control.😏😆
You images in your posts are always spot-on. I wonder how you do them as I know in my case, AI always struggle with text in images.
Thanks you!
Martin
Hi Martin – Yes, folding the dreaded map! That’s possibly the most exciting part of AGPS system is not having to fold a map, right? I also like to feel like I’m in control and my ego, like yours, tends to get in the way when I lose where I’m going. As far as the images, it is truly a headache at times. I find that I need to place the same prompt into the system several times before I get the image that I want. It is a lesson in patience and it is also a lesson in learning what AI will produce given the correct prompt. I have no doubt that as AI develops this will become easier and we will need to spend less time finding the perfect picture. Thanks for your visit to my blog post!