Tag Archives: mistakes

Take perfection off its pedestal

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Take perfection off its pedestal and focus on getting good at making repairs when things go wrong or break.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ricardo Viana

We’ve all been taught to bow at the altar of perfection — flawless performances, impeccable resumes, and gourmet meals without a burnt edge.

But what if our obsession with perfection is costing us more than we gain?

The truth is, perfection is fragile, distant, and downright unattainable. Every misstep feels catastrophic, every scar a failure.

Life is messy. Things crack, plans unravel, mistakes happen.

The real skill isn’t preventing these inevitabilities, but embracing the art of repair. Get good at mending what’s broken — your projects, your relationships, even you own confidence. The world rewards those who adapt, not those who freeze in fear of imperfection.

Perfection is a myth; resilience is real. Embrace and pursue your ability to fix what breaks, and watch your world become less fragile and far more interesting.

EXERCISE:

Choose a current project, relationship, or habit that feels flawed and “broken.” Instead of starting over or giving up, commit to one intentional act of repair, such as a clarifying conversation, a small course correction, or a gesture of kindness.

“Your best teacher is your last mistake.”

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“Your best teacher is your last mistake.”

—Ralph Nader, American lawyer & political activist

Image from Unsplash by Chuttersnap

Mistakes sting, but they’re the most honest instructors we’ll ever have.

Unlike a textbook, a mistake doesn’t sugarcoat the lesson — it delivers it with clarity and impact.

When we stumble, we’re forced to pause, reflect, and adapt. That last blunder is a personalized curriculum, tailored to expose our blind spots and spark growth.

What if we welcomed errors as mentors instead of hiding from them?

Each misstep is an invitation to get better, not bitter.

The key is to analyze, not agonize.

Ask: What went wrong? What can I change next time?

Success isn’t about avoiding mistakes — it’s about learning from them.

EXERCISE:

How can you use your last mistake to improve your future decisions?

How can you turn more of life’s setbacks into stepping stones for success?

The past is a teacher not a judge

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“The past is a teacher, not a judge. Your next move matters more than your last mistake.”

—Shane Parrish, Author of the Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Kyle Glenn

Today’s quote hits home with my coaching philosophy.

Too often, we let past mistakes define us, replaying them like a harsh judge’s verdict. But what if we viewed the past as a wise teacher instead?

Each mistake becomes a lesson, not a life sentence. Growth happens when we extract insights and apply them moving forward.

It’s our next move that holds the real power.

It’s not about erasing errors, but about learning and choosing better. Let your past inform you not imprison you.

Your future is shaped by your actions, not by the echoes of yesterday.

EXERCISE:

How can the lessons of the past carry you forward? How can your next steps reflect this newfound wisdom?

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

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“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

—L. M. Montgomery, 20th century Canadian author

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

One of my granddaughter’s favorite toys is a plastic castle from the Disney animated film Frozen.

In addition to all the lights and sounds emanating from this purple and pink fairy tale toy is the song, “Let It Go” which she plays over and over, often skipping other amusing tunes from the film.

Perhaps this repeated message is for the adults around her to leave our yesterdays behind and to start each new day with a clean slate.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life are you holding on and reliving mistakes from your past?

What are some ways you can let them go to sing or hum the song of a brand-new day?

Friday Review: Mistakes

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Friday Review: Mistakes

What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? What “mistake” turned out to be a good thing? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, risk-taking, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”

 

 

 

“Just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean your mistakes get to make you. Take notice of your inner critic, forgive yourself, and move on.”

 

 

 

“One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.”

 

 

 

A mistake is only as valuable as the time you spend learning from it

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“A mistake is only as valuable as the time you spend learning from it.”

—Niklas Göke, Author of 2-Minute Pep Talks

Image from Unsplash by Daniela Holzer

How do you usually respond when someone points out a mistake you’ve made?

My first reaction is often denial or a quick “sorry,” then I put it behind me.

What happens when the person pointing out this misstep continues to mention the error of your ways?

We almost never appreciate them rubbing it in, do we?

What if rubbing it in is actually what is needed in certain situations?

Where and how would a deeper look and a bit more time to contemplate our mishaps allow a valuable lesson to sink in and stick well beyond the moment?

EXERCISE:

What are some examples of significant mistakes you have made recently or over the years?

To what degree do you take the time to let their lessons seep in and impact your future efforts?

Friday Review: Mistakes

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Friday Review: MISTAKES

How do you view the mistakes you have made? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“We should learn from the mistakes of others. We don’t have time to make them all ourselves.”
 

 

 

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one.”
 

 

 

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”

 

 

 

Friday Review: Mistakes

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FRIDAY REVIEW: MISTAKES

What have you learned from mistakes you have made? Here are a few mistake-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean your mistakes get to make you. Take notice of your inner critic, forgive yourself, and move on.”

 

 

 

“One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.”

 

 

 

 

“We should learn from the mistakes of others. We don’t have time to make them all ourselves.”

 

 

 

Friday Review of Mistakes

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: MISTAKES

How do you react when you make a mistake? Here are a few mistake-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.

 

“We should learn from the mistakes of others. We don’t have time to make them all ourselves.”

 

 

 

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one.”

 

 

 

“Just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean your mistakes get to make you. Take notice of your inner critic, forgive yourself, and move on.”

 

 

 

More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren’t so busy denying them

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“More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren’t so busy denying them.”

—Dan Sullivan, founder and president of The Strategic Coach Inc.

Image from DailyCaring

Having a bias for being right and making others wrong seems to be one of the fundamental challenges facing the majority of people throughout history. Although most of us prefer to consider ourselves self-aware and open-minded, we often fall into the trap of seeing the mistakes of others far more often than viewing our own shortcomings.

Instead of closing our eyes to our own responsibilities for certain failures, what if we could shift our perspective from one of embarrassment and shame to one of learning and growth? How would this support the courage it takes to be vulnerable in those moments we fall short in our efforts?

EXERCISE:

Where and on what life issue are you, or perhaps someone you know, in denial about a significant mistake? What would be the benefit if you or they would more frequently embrace the life changing magic and important lessons in such situations?