Stay In Your Lane

These days, people often use the phrase “Stay in your own lane” to mean minding your own business.  It can mean, don’t tell me what to do, how to raise my child, or how to live my life. This phrase may be used as a term of admonishment or advice against those who express thoughts or opinions on a subject about which they may have inadequate knowledge. 

I just stay in my own lane and not worry about what anyone else is doing and settling my own pace.

Roddy Ricch

The important thing is for us to remember is that the only person we can control is ourselves.  Therefore, our goal should be to stay in our own lane when it comes to other people.  

Why you should stay in your own lane?

• Helps you gain control over your own life and emotions. 
• Helps you understand what really matters to you. 
• Allows you to love everyone in your life.
• Frees you from trying to change other people.
• Keeps you focused on things you can change.
• Frees you from thinking you have all the answers.
• Releases you from trying to control other people’s lives. 
• Lightens your work load to include only your responsibilities. 

In work, we may use the idea of “staying in your own lane” to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about which person is responsible for each of the tasks. This will avoid important jobs not getting done, wasted time when efforts overlap, and friction between employees. Some people are tempted to take on too much either because they believe they will do the job better, or because they want to assist the other employee.  The truth is, though, that taking on too much doesn’t help anyone.  It prevents the other person from learning and feeling successful, and it usually over-stresses us.

I really don’t care to be criticized. I stay in my lane and do me.

O. T. Genasis

In our personal lives, most of us have pretty clear boundaries (either stated or implied) with our friends, family, or significant others. Hopefully this will help alleviate the need to have the discussion of “stay in your own lane” with the people closest to us.

True friends usually know not to push too hard about things like our relationships, our religion or our politics.  Intimate relationships benefit when we avoid giving advice unless asked. Many times people just want to talk and vent and are not looking for guidance or a solution.  The idea in these relationships is to work as a team, to benefit each other, rather than further complicate each other’s lives. Stay in your lane and your relationship will thrive.