Making the most out of our mistakes
Mistakes are undesirable but inevitable. We can do our best to minimize the number of mistakes we make but due to our own limitations we can never totally eliminate all mistakes from our lives. What we can control is our reaction to our mistakes and this can have a major influence on the outcome of a situation.
Admitting our mistakes
It may not be pleasant to admit when we are wrong, but the ability to own up to our mistakes shows accountability. It also sets a good example for others. The sooner a problem is identified the quicker a solution can be worked out. Trying to cover up a mistake may prevent the root of the problem from being addressed or even make it worse. We do not need to broadcast our mistakes to the whole world but letting those in authority (such as a supervisor) or those it may directly affect (such as a co-worker) know can help expedite a solution. This also helps to build trust and encourage honesty.
Learning from our mistakes
Once we have acknowledged our mistake we can learn from it and move on. If we identify the root cause of the mistake we can adapt to minimize the likelihood that it occurs again. For example, if the mistake was caused by ignorance, new knowledge on how to do a procedure the right way can prevent it from happening again. Our mistakes may also identify bigger flaws in the system that need to be fixed to reduce the likelihood of others making the same mistake. If an employee does not read company reports because the font is too small and gets called out for it, by identifying the font issue, others suffering from the same predicament may also speak out and the font size could be increased.
Mistakes also give us valuable information about how things should not be done and why. This information is necessary for finding the most efficient way to get things done and to achieve optimal results. If a certain posture causes back pain, a better posture may relieve that pain and make us more productive.
Helping others with their mistakes
When we learn from our mistakes we do not only gain knowledge – we also gain experience. These two valuable assets can help us to avoid our previous errors but they can also help us to be more sympathetic to the mistakes of others. By remembering how we feel when we make errors and the lessons we have to learn from them, we can help others to be accountable and learn from their mistakes. This may be challenging since some people tend to want to keep their shortcomings private for fear that it will adversely affect their marketability. Acknowledging that we are not perfect and that we too have made mistakes may help others to see us as offering assistance rather than offering judgement. A story about our own mistakes and how we overcame it with the lessons we learned can also help put our intentions in the proper perspective.
While mistakes may cause some embarrassment we must not let that overwhelm us. It is a part of our development and learning from these mistakes make us better. By admitting our mistakes, learning from them and helping others with theirs we can encourage progress while developing our collective skills.
One of my favourite things about the internet is the vast amount of information it gives you access to. You can find educational material such as scholarly articles, tutorials, answers to questions and electronic books. You can also find entertainment, news, and countless other interesting or extraordinary bits of information. The empowering thing about the net is that you can also create content and share your expertise and experience with others. This platform is great for two way learning and interaction.
Learning may often be associated with formal education and school which may not exactly seem like a fun experience. Learning is much more than that though and the internet empowers you to learn at your own pace and study the topics that interest you. You can do this formally by taking online courses or informally on your own. Many freelancers are self taught and can find help on forums and in groups online.
Online communities are great places for finding and sharing information. Chances are that some time in the future someone with the same questions as you will be looking for answers. Using what you have already learned you will be well equipped to either answer these questions or point the person in the right direction. Things you share in online communities may also be indexed by search engines so it can be found via web searches.
After you learn and share your knowledge it is time to start the entire process over. We are always learning new things even when we are not actively seeking knowledge. Sharing is one of the principles on which the internet was built and is a foundation of social media today. Continue to learn, share and repeat so we can benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences.
