Distractions, Detours, and Taking Responsibility: A Lesson from a Wild Night on the Road
- Marlene Le Roux
- Feb 24
- 4 min read
Last night, life threw me a plot twist—one of those moments that makes you stop and think, “Okay, universe, what are you trying to tell me?”
It all started after an incredible leadership conference. You know the kind—where you leave feeling like you can take on the world, conquer your goals, and maybe even change the course of history (or at least your week). I was riding that high, feeling inspired, and decided to hop in my car and drive some Uber. I love it—it’s like a social experiment on wheels. Every ride is a new story, a new connection, a fresh perspective on life.
But then…
The THUD That Stopped the Night
I was stopped at an intersection, patiently waiting to turn left, when—THUD!
My passengers and I both jumped. “What the…?”
I checked my rear-view mirror and saw a person on an e-bike tumbling to the ground. In a flash, I put the handbrake on shifted to park and got out to check on him. He was already picking himself up, brushing off the fall, and as I was about to ask, “Hey, are you okay?”—he looked at me, then at my car, and… took off.
Just like that.
Gone.
I was left standing there looking at the damage to my car.
No explanation, no accountability—just a quick escape. And that’s when it hit me (not literally, thankfully): these e-bike riders are out here playing real-life Mario Kart with zero regard for safety. No helmets, no common sense, weaving in and out of traffic like they’ve got an extra life waiting if something goes wrong.
It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. And the worst part? When they do, who takes responsibility?
This whole situation had me fired up. It kept replaying in my mind—how reckless people can be, how small choices can have big consequences, how accountability seems to be a rare commodity these days.
And that was my mistake.
When Distractions Take You Off Course
About 10 minutes before I got home, my mind was still stuck on the e-bike incident. I wasn’t fully present. I was replaying it, analysing it, mentally drafting this very blog post—when BAM!
I hit a curb. Hard.
The steering wheel jerked, my car bounced, and just like that, I had a flat tyre.
Perfect.
In that moment, I had to laugh. The irony was almost too much. Here I was, frustrated about someone else’s lack of awareness—meanwhile, I let my own distraction literally take me off course.
Luckily, I had roadside assistance, and a lovely man showed up to help. It could have been worse. But the lesson was crystal clear:
Distractions can derail you. They can pull you away from what matters. And when they do, you have two choices—blame external circumstances or take responsibility.
Owning Your Actions—On the Road and in Life
Let’s be real—taking responsibility is not always easy. It’s way more convenient to point fingers, shift the blame, or make excuses. “It wasn’t my fault! The e-bike rider threw me off! The curb came out of nowhere!”
But here’s the truth: We are always responsible for how we show up in life.
We can’t control what happens around us—the reckless e-bike riders, the unexpected bumps in the road, the random curveballs life throws our way. But we can control how we respond. We can control where we put our focus. And we can choose to stay present instead of getting lost in distractions.
The moment I hit that curb, I had two choices:
Blame everything else—the e-bike rider, the leadership conference for filling my head with too many thoughts, the city planners for putting that curb there in the first place.
Own it—I wasn’t paying full attention. My focus was elsewhere. That’s why I hit the curb. Simple as that.
And the thing is, this applies to everything in life.
If you’re stuck in a job you hate but keep making excuses instead of taking action—who’s responsible?
If you say you want to get healthier but never follow through—who’s responsible?
If you keep letting distractions pull you away from your goals—who’s responsible?
(Hint: It’s not your boss, your genetics, or Mercury being in retrograde.)
Focus Is a Superpower
In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Social media, endless notifications, random thoughts that hijack your brain at the worst possible moments (seriously, why do I suddenly remember embarrassing things I did in high school when I’m trying to fall asleep?).
But focus—real, intentional focus—is a superpower. It’s what separates the people who get things done from the people who almost do.
So how do we stay on track?
Be present. Whatever you’re doing—do that. If you’re driving, drive. If you’re working, work. If you’re with family, be with them. Multitasking is a myth, and splitting your attention costs you more than you realize.
Catch yourself slipping. When your mind starts to wander or distractions creep in, notice it and bring yourself back. Think of it like correcting your course on the road—small adjustments keep you on track.
Own your mistakes. No one’s perfect. You’re going to get distracted, make missteps, hit a few metaphorical (or literal) curbs. But instead of blaming everything else, take responsibility and move forward.
Protect your focus. Set boundaries with your time, turn off notifications when you need to, and create an environment that helps you stay present. Your focus is valuable—treat it that way.
The Road Ahead
Last night’s chaos wasn’t just about an e-bike rider or a flat tyre. It was a lesson in awareness, responsibility, and how easily distractions can knock us off course.
We all have moments where we lose focus, let outside noise take over, or blame circumstances instead of owning our part. But the good news? We always have the power to shift. To refocus. To take responsibility.
So here’s my challenge to you: Where in your life do you need to take more ownership? Where are distractions pulling you off track?
Drop a comment, let’s chat. And if you see an e-bike rider doing wheelies in traffic, maybe say a little prayer for them… because at this rate, they’re going to need it.
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