We all make mistakes. We do things wrong, get things wrong. However, the reality is that it is how you handle and deal with your mistakes that will often determine how successful or happy you will be in your life.
Of course, there are certain mistakes which are worse than others. Forgetting the shopping list is vastly different to cheating on your partner for example. But regardless of what you have done or not done, there are a few things that might help in the event that you have made a mistake.
First, take responsibility for the mistake. Accept that it is on you and you are the person who needs to account for it. This quality is very much lacking but it shows courage, leadership and strength.
Second, identify what you have learned from the mistake. Understand the lesson and commit to never making that mistake again. The problem is not when you make a mistake but when you repeat the mistake so make sure that you do not.
Third, plan and prepare for the future scenarios where you will need to avoid making the mistake. Be clear on exactly what you will do instead and devise a plan that ensures you carry this new behaviour out instead.
Fourth, understand what potential error in thinking or feeling led to the mistake and ensure that you handle that effectively in the future as well.
Fifth, feel the pain of the mistake only long enough to motivate you and make you determined not to make it happen again.
Sixth, cut yourself some slack, give yourself a break and move on. You are human and that is okay.
The truth is that mistakes are inevitable. How you deal with them and bounce back as a result is the real difference between those who win and those who stay stuck finding reasons why they can’t.
