Rivers don’t run straight even on flat ground. Straight lines are rare in nature and rarer in life.

Expecting a direct route is where most of the disappointment comes from. Even with nothing in the way water bends, because tiny differences compound and a curve is the natural shape of something finding its own path. Careers, friendships and learning anything behave the same. A detour is not evidence that you went wrong.

When your plan bends this week, update the map instead of deciding you have failed. Ask what the bend taught you about the ground you are on. Then carry on in roughly the right direction, which is all anybody actually manages.