The Silent GPS Theory: Trusting Your Route
- Wallace Lane
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Today I’m writing to the fellas—the Chosen 1’s.
A few days ago, I scrolled past a video on TikTok that caught my attention. The video was of a guy in his car emphatically saying the following statement:
“The GPS is silent when you go in the right direction!”
His caption read: “Happy Monday! Keep going, keep moving, keep driving!”
Slick-talking captions, “aha” soundbites and thought-provoking reels have been my algorithm lately. And I can’t lie, I have an ear for them. I grew up in the mixtape Lil Wayne era, so any time I come across a Fabolous-like caption, I’m quick to steal it. (Good artists copy, great artists steal.) As an educator, I sometimes take those captions and flip them into lessons where I can.
But this video didn’t prompt me to steal—it was confirmation of how I’ve been feeling lately. So instead of gatekeeping as a caption under a fire pic, I decided to break down this powerful statement:
“The GPS is silent when you are going in the right direction.”
I have a few interpretations, but my main one is this: the deeper you go into your journey, the quieter it becomes.
As I stated in my On Leveling Up blog, real level-ups demand discomfort. When you’re doing the “work” to unlock better versions of yourself as a man, you’ll notice how unfamiliar your new growth feels. That growth, for many of us, will make you want to turn back to old habits, comfort zones, and chaos. There’s nothing wrong with feeling that. New growth, new territory, and a new path can be intimidating. The new “quiet” can also be scary.
But in the pursuit of what you want, staying on course sometimes means pushing through the unfamiliar. And if we’re going with the theme from that video, it’s simple: don’t take your hands off the steering wheel.
Rumi said it best: “The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
There’s so much to learn about yourself when you stop comparing, competing, and complaining. The path in front of you gets quieter, and you find yourself thinking critically before you speak. You move with intention, being cautious of who and what you entertain. You learn, as I’m learning, that some places only breed noise and hoard distraction.
One of my bros, who is a content creator, said to me last week, “Bro, I’m so locked in right now that I haven’t had a conversation with anyone today. You’re the first person I’ve talked to.”
Now, I’m not condoning monk mode or caveman behavior. I don’t believe in that. We all need a social life and outlets, especially as men. But when your goals are on the line, a certain level of discipline and silence is necessary to gain results.
Maybe you’re waiting for that job interview. Maybe you’re on a fitness journey. Maybe you just launched a business venture or tapped into content creation. Maybe you picked up a new hobby. Maybe you are going through a breakup. Or maybe, you just want better for yourself.
Whatever it is, understand this: when you’re on the right path, it will get quiet and intimidating sometimes. But know that's just a sign that you’re going the right way.
In short:
The teacher is quiet during the test.
The coach is calm when he sees his players running the correct plays.
The GPS is silent when you’re going the right way.
God responds to faith, not fear.
Keep pushing. Keep your hands on the steering wheel.
Stay Chosen.
Wallace, your take on the 'Silent GPS Theory' really resonated – that the deeper we go into our journey, the quieter it becomes. It's a powerful reminder that true alignment often manifests not in fanfare, but in a focused, almost serene confidence as we navigate our path. That 'unfamiliar new growth' you mention is often where the most profound shifts occur. Speaking of navigating paths and finding direction, sometimes that journey involves literally pinpointing specific points of interest, especially for those looking to capture unique moments or document their progress visually. For anyone on a creative journey who needs a practical 'GPS' for pinpointing the perfect photo spot, it can be an invaluable tool.