8 Common Mistakes Made, After A Mistake Was Made
Everyone makes mistakes, true.. but sometimes we get ourselves into very sticky situations! The reasons vary but when you make that mistake, and you know (most often) that you should have known better.
1. Not admitting the mistake
You should inform the parties in concern about your mistake. It will reflect badly on you, if someone else discovers it. Worst yet, if someone else tells the parties in concern.2. Deny that it ever happened (/Cover up the mistake)
You may fear that the response might be loss of status, ridicule, humiliation etc. Yet, even the most cursory study of political and corporate cover-ups in recent years will show, concealment uncovered inevitably does more damage than the original error.3. Not taking steps to “fix” or alleviate the effects of the mistake
Example,You accidentally deleted several important records from the database.
When you go to your boss to confess your mistake, have a plan on how you can correct it. Are there backups, what alternative measures can be taken etc
Of course, depending on the extent of the mistake there may be very little you can do to rectify it. Often, showing true remorse with a humble apology goes a long way.
4. Blame factors outside your control
There may be relevant contributory factors such as the long hours you have been working or the fact that you didn’t receive some information you needed, and it may be relevant to mention these, but don’t use them as pillars to hide behind.5. Attack other people for their mistakes
More common with siblings at young age! Some, never seem to grow out of it!6. Beating yourself up over the mistake
The fact that you made a mistake does not negate all the accomplishments and successes you have achieved. Don’t drag yourself down by constantly going over and over the mistake. Obsessing can’t undo the mistake or rectify it. Resolve never to make that mistake again and move on.7. Not learning from the mistake
Carefully evaluate why you made the mistake? What can you learn from it? A mistake has value only if you learn from it.8. Not taking measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again
What can be done to prevent the mistake from happening again?Anything you would like to add to the list?
References
1. Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
2. Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average
Related Posts
- Why Do Smart People Do Stupid Things Sometimes?
- Give Up The Guilt.You're Not A Bad Person
- Character:What Every Person Ought To Know
- Getting Past Your Past, Is It Really Possible?
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8 comments:
I would like to add: don't forget.
Though you don't want to beat yourself up, you don't want to totally erase it from your mind either.
I know in the past, I make the same mistakes when I don't recall what happened every now and then (in moderation).
Excellent list. Taking responsibility is the key regardless of whether things are going well or not. Honesty and integrity are well respected and appreciated qualities. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes. It’s what we do after the mistake that is important.
@Carla: Yes, We need to remember the lesson from the mistake and keep it in mind.
@Jonathan: "It’s what we do after the mistake that is important." very true..
Hey Shamelle, I actually think this post was a great idea, even if I couldn't tell where you were going with it at first.
I was a runner when I was 15-16 and was gutted when Dwaine Chambers was found to be using steroids to help his performance. I think the most respectable thing for them to do is admit their mistake.
Cheers,
Glen
I love this advice. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's how you deal with them that matters. I'd just add don't be so afraid of making mistakes that you are afraid to live life!
I really don't want to put the blame on other people. I am responsible and will never deny the error just to hide the guilt. If I will not do this, I will never grow wisely. It is in our mistake that we learn our lessons.
So true.. most people tend to do one or more of these bad habits when making mistakes, but what do they do when they're told they are?
They; Deny it, they admit it and say "That's just how I am" (not fixing it), they blame their childhood for making them that way, or they say "How about you then? You do it too!"
;P
This is a excellent post. Its often hard to not make the same mistake again if it was a pleasureable or wonderful thing you experienced. If it hurts others its a mistake. So I will be keeping this list as a reminder.
Thanks!
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