We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn, grow, and define the limits of our abilities. No one is perfect and no one has all of the answers all of the time. As we are human, mistakes are inevitable. It is not the mistakes in our life that define us, it is how we react to them that exemplifies our character.
I recently made a mistake. Not a big one or a tragic one, but a mistake none the less. First I had to admit I made the mistake. Then let the people involved know I made the mistake, and finally take action to remove the confusion. There are times when I have hesitated to acknowledge my mistakes due to pride, self preservation, or fear. The longer I let the mistake linger, the harder it was to admit. Like a bandaid mistakes are best handled quickly and swiftly. Rip it off in one quick move and deal with the pain in one shot. Once you can admit what you did wrong, the lessons begin. Why did I do that? How did it go so badly? What can I learn from this mistake? How can I make sure it doesn’t happen again? How do I repair the damage and facilitate the healing process?
The inability to admit mistakes or learn from them is a fatal flaw. It builds up like a wall between you and the people around you. The mistakes are the foundation of the wall and the mortar between those bricks is made up of the lies we tell ourselves to accomodate our mistakes. An inability to change solidifies the wall over the years. Promising to change or not do it again only makes all involved feel worse when you continue making the same mistake over and over again.
POW! Like a hit over the head our mistakes can catch us unaware and unprepared. Quick decisions or impulsive moves can land flat and shatter parts of our lives if we are not careful. Or we can grow from what we learn and work to makes sure it does not happen again. It takes courage and character to admit and remedy a mistake. Great people, great leaders are prompt to admit an error and start the healing process. The people who are part of the mistake and the healing grow and are blessed by the quick recognition and response to the error. Everyone learns through observation and execution.
What mistake do you need to remedy? POW! Do it quickly and honestly, and let the learning and healing begin
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