I was reading a random article on the safest way to hike.  I don’t hike much but it looks like an attractive hobby.

One piece of advice stood out.  It applies to our everyday lives.

The risk was getting lost.  What do you do?

Ms. Davis, the author, said don’t panic. “Remember, the mistake isn’t getting lost, but how you respond to being off course. Do not immediately rush in the direction where you think the ‘right’ trail is.”

The mistake isn’t the mistake.  The mistake is when you react too quickly.

Instead, take time to gather yourself, regain your composure, and make the best plan possible.

When finding herself in an unintended location, Ms. Davis said she follows a short routine: “I always like to take a deep breath, sit down, eat a snack, drink water, and then pull out all of my available navigation tools: guidebook, map, compass, GPS, etc. I ask myself where and when I last remembered being on the right trail, and then I use my available resources to make a plan to backtrack to that location.”

Pretty good advice.  Stop to think where it was you went wrong.  Consider how to get back there.  Use all the resources you have to make wise decisions.

If you are trying to progress in life, you will misstep and need to regroup.  Keep your composure, use your available resources, consider your options, and make good choices.

You can get overcome being “lost.”