Route 66 - The Journey Toward Success
Own Your Mistakes
Nobody is perfect. There I said it. I make mistakes and so do you. While nobody sets out to disappoint a client, co-worker, friend, or boss, sometimes there are situations when we come up short. So much time is spent trying to cover-up, avoid and justify stumbles that it causes us to lose track of what is really important - - doing better next time!
In order to grow your career you have to take some risks. By taking chances, the odds are that sometimes you will fail. I have never looked at the occasional failure as a bad thing. In fact, if you look at every experience as a lesson, then it is possible to make lemonade out of lemons when you do not succeed. Lemons are bitter, but dang, lemonade tastes good!
A person I know recently let me down. I knew it, and he knew it. He called and said he was sorry and asked how he could make everything "right". Dang, classy and cool. That shows guts and character.
Admitting and facing negative happenings caused by your own doing can be difficult and embarrassing. Nobody likes to publically admit a mess up, which is why so many people try to sidestep, deny and spin situations that fall into this category once the truth becomes known.
Politicians and Hollywood celebrities often get in bigger trouble from the cover-up than they would have from their initial mistakes. It is better to just own your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
People are by nature forgiving to those who take responsibility for their actions. To error is human and to forgive is divine.... as long as you are forthcoming. Those who lie, deny and evade are never again viewed the same way.
My experiences have been that most mistakes we make are minor, and become a big deal only because we make them a big deal. I suggest when we have a hickup to own the mistake, apologize and go on with our life. The trick is not to make the same mistake twice! I try to learn everyday, and where I fail is fertile ground to plant the best seeds for growth.
Have A Great Day.
thom
www.thomsinger.com
1 comment:
Great post, Thom! Admitting when we're wrong is often very difficult. But when others around us know that we screwed up--what better way to move forward than to own it? Sure seems like the best way to move forward. Thanks again for the insight.
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