Priscilla's Blog

Mistakes can make you second-guess yourself and your abilities. It can break the confidence you have built overnight in just an instance – extreme but depends on the kind of mistake.

No one is infallible therefore it would be unreasonable to say one can guard against mistakes totally. 

Some mistakes can be positive while others can be costly. 

What I term positive mistakes are activities or responses done or given that provide a solution but not a solution to the problem at hand.

This happened to me not too long ago when a person asked for the process of change of name from me and I immediately gave a response with regards to an agency whereas the person needed the response with regards to another agency. The answer provided benefited not just the person but also other people present but it was still a mistake howbeit not a negative one.

Costly mistakes are activities or responses made out of context. This could be with regards to providing valuable information and missing out on important details or making erroneous statements with the mindset that you are saying the right thing.

This can happen to anyone as information can be mixed up or seem similar at the point of delivery.

To deal with them, check these out:

• Own up to your mistakes

Refusing to acknowledge that you were wrong makes a mistake more pronounced. When you accept you were wrong, it reflects integrity on your part and shows you have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.

• Correct your mistakes

It’s not enough to own up to your mistakes, you have to correct the erroneous content or information you passed across. If you are not abreast of the correct information at the time, communicate the same and move on to other discourse.

• Move on

Your mistakes do not define you. Raise your head up high, learn from your mistakes, and keep your confidence going. Adequately prepare to give the correct information at other times.

I remember when I made that mistake of answering another question and the comment as to the full question was sent, I laughed. The laughter didn’t make my wrong answer go away, it just helped me adjust further to knowing that it’s not a big deal and mistakes can always happen.

I also learned that you do not have to jump at every opportunity to speak immediately. Clarify first then provide a response if you can.

If you aren’t making mistakes especially meaningful ones then you might not be doing anything new. Don’t stay too comfortable in the familiar, step out of your comfort zone.

I’m rooting for you. Keep shining.

Thank you for reading.