“THE godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.” Proverbs 24:16.
One thing many people want to avoid is mistakes. Most of us want to avoid failing or dabbling into error because mistakes, errors and failure come with a heavy price. Mistakes can be costly. Mistakes are painful. Mistakes bring regret and guilt. Nobody likes to face embarrassment or be embarrassed, and mistakes seem to be an open door to embarrassment so why make mistakes.
There are no guarantees in life that one will never make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the few things in life that are certain. It is commonly said “to err is human”. Mistakes are part of life.
When we make mistakes our errors, faults, inaccuracies, omissions, blunders, miscalculations, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, goofing are exposed for people to see and this comes with a price.
Mistakes put a stigma on us. Mistakes come with shame… we look foolish. We look stupid. We look like we don’t know what we are doing.
“Many people can’t tolerate making a mistake, there are both physiological and psychological reasons for this. Our body’s response to failure is often experienced as actual physical pain. The same areas of the brain that are activated when we experience emotional injury are activated when we experience physical injury. So not only do we physically “feel” mistakes, but we experience shame as a result of an error, and we feel like something is wrong with us if we can’t get something right. Shame is one of the most potent and painful emotions we can experience, and people will do whatever they can to avoid feeling this way.” Tammy Schamuhn
Much as we might want to avoid mistakes we will at one point or the other make mistakes. Much as we detest mistakes mistakes have benefits.
“No human ever became interesting by not failing. The more you fail and recover and improve, the better you are as a person. Ever met someone who’s always had everything work out for them with zero struggle? They usually have the depth of a puddle. Or they don’t exist.” Chris Hardwick
As long as we are in the flesh we are bound to make mistakes.
“We are human. We are not perfect. We are alive. We try things. We make mistakes. We stumble. We rise again. We try again. We keep learning. We keep growing. And we are thankful for this priceless opportunity called life.” Unknown.
The person who will not make any mistake will not achieve anything.
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” Albert Einstein.
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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THE BENEFITS OF MISTAKES Part Two
“Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3.13-14
Last time we began looking at the benefits of mistakes. Most of us want to avoid failing or dabbling into error because mistakes, errors and failure come with a heavy price. Mistakes can be costly. Mistakes are painful. Mistakes bring regret and guilt. Nobody likes to face embarrassment or be embarrassed, and mistakes seem to be an open door to embarrassment so why make mistakes.
There are no guarantees in life that one will never make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the few things in life that are certain. Mistakes, however, are all bad as mistakes have benefits so we must see mistakes in the right light.
“We are human. We are not perfect. We are alive. We try things. We make mistakes. We stumble. We rise again. We try again. We keep learning. We keep growing. And we are thankful for this priceless opportunity called life.” Unknown.
The person who will not make any mistake will not achieve anything. We must, therefore, not be afraid to make mistakes but learn to make the most of them. Mistakes, errors and failure are part of life and they need not incapacitate us.
“Mistakes are inevitable. The comeback is more important than the setback.” Unknown.
We cannot stay in the comfort zone of life where there are no risks and want to live a life that counts. Venturing into new frontiers and making giant strides will always demand taking risks and when risk is taken the possibility of mistakes is high. We must, therefore, not be afraid to make mistakes but learn to make the most of them. Mistakes, errors and failure are part of life and they need not incapacitate us.
We cannot go through life with the phobia of making mistakes.
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one”. Elbert Hubbard.
Much as mistakes are a part of life we must learn to make the most of mistakes. We must minimise the making of mistakes and learn to maximise the lessons mistakes come with. Mistakes are a great educational tool which we must maximise.
“When an infant is learning to walk and falls on their face, what happens? Inevitably some crying is involved but this is part of the learning experience and ultimately, the mastery of walking. This cycle is repeated but with each time learning small things to improve on such as catching themselves, grabbing onto something else for assistance, or learning to hold their balance while they take a few more steps forward. This is the power of mistakes. We learn from them. In fact, cognitive scientists have found that mistakes improve learning when followed by corrective feedback, especially if the mistake was made with a high level of confidence. We make mistakes from the time we’re born right until our final breath. It’s an essential part of being human.” Sage Warlbroeck.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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THE BENEFITS OF MISTAKES Part Three
“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old.
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43.18-19
We have been looking at the issue of mistakes. We cannot live without making mistakes and much as mistakes are a part of life we must learn to make the most of mistakes. We must minimise the making of mistakes and learn to maximise the lessons mistakes come with. Mistakes are a great educational tool which we must maximise.
In making mistakes we must be wise at it. We must never make the same mistake twice. A person who makes the same mistake twice is devoid of wisdom. Making a mistake twice is a symptom of not reviewing one’s life.
At the end of every event, meeting, day, week, month or year we need to review and see where we have failed and succeeded. Looking back after any event is a good way to see if we have made mistakes and find ways to avoid repeating them.
“But making the same mistakes over and over can be costly in more ways than one. Perhaps your team has lost faith in you because your behaviour doesn’t match your words. Or maybe your errors have cost you or someone else a lot of money. The good news is, you can take steps to learn from your mistakes. Then, instead of repeating them again, you’ll gain valuable wisdom that will help you in the future.” Amy Morin
“Hindsight or our ability to see our past clearly, is a learning function that, when damaged … renders us unable to look at the past to guide ourselves through the present and into the future. Without this ability, we cannot learn from our mistakes. We cannot clean up the wreckage of our actions. We are locked into a cycle of repeating the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. This is commonly known as the definition of insanity.” Barbara S. Cole.
When we make mistakes we must bounce back from the negativity that comes with making mistakes and critically analyse what happened by asking questions. We must discipline ourselves to come out of the negative emotions that come with mistakes – regret, guilt, disappointment, frustration, depression, despair etc.
“Whether it’s at work, your family life, or in your relationships, you’re bound to disappoint yourself and others at some point.
But for you to make progress in life, you must learn from your mistakes.
You must learn to understand why you made a mistake or experienced failure, and take corrective actions.
That’s what successful people do.
If you have ever done something only to regret it later, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed.
You can learn how to make better choices, and these mistake quotes will help you do just that.
They will help you gain valuable wisdom that will benefit you in the future.
Along the road of life, you make many choices.
And the decisions you make will determine the kind of person you become later and even affect your future.” Norbert Juma
TO BE CONTINUED.
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THE BENEFITS OF MISTAKES Part Four
“Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago.
I am going to do something new.
It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?
I will clear a way in the desert.
I will make rivers on dry land. “ Isaiah 43.18-19
Our subject of discussion has been the benefits of mistakes. Making mistakes is inevitable but the key is never to be grounded by any mistake.
“Mistakes are going to happen and we cannot live life in fear of mistakes. When mistakes do happen, it’s important to think about why that mistake happened and learn how to avoid making it again. It’s also important to find a positive outcome that came from making that mistake. Bouncing back is hard, but you bounce back with more experience than before.” Shalyn Dever, Chatter Buzz
We must discipline ourselves to come out of the negative emotions that come with mistakes – regret, guilt, disappointment, frustration, depression, despair etc.
“I believe the key is not letting emotion get in the way. Problems are often much bigger in our minds than they are in reality. Instead of wallowing in the mistake you’ve made, focus on what you can do to correct the issue. You will begin to feel better when you start doing things to address the issue and feel like you are back in control.” Matthew Paulson.
When we make mistakes we must bounce back from the negativity that comes with making mistakes and critically analyse what happened by asking questions.
We must spend time to think it through and learn lessons from our mistakes.
“While you don’t want to dwell on your mistakes, reflecting on them can be productive. Ask yourself a few tough questions: What went wrong? What could I do better next time? What did I learn from this? Write down your responses and you’ll see the situation a little more clearly. Seeing your answers on paper can help you think more logically about an irrational or emotional experience.” Amy Morin.
When we develop the ability to review our lives and discover and learn from our mistakes we will not find it strange or surprising when people point out our mistakes we already know before they point it out.
“It is with pleasure I receive reproof when reproof is due, because no person can be readier to accuse me, than I am to acknowledge an error, when I am guilty of one; nor more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am sensible of having committed it.” George Washington.
When we review our mistakes we must not only learn from them but teach others under our influence the lessons we have learnt.
“The times in our lives when we feel we have the least power can actually be the times we have the most–when we can affirm or redefine who we are and what we believe, and make choices that help others benefit from our experiences, good and bad. When you make mistakes, make a point of teaching others what you’ve learned. Doing so builds connection and trust. The best leaders are the great teachers, coaches, and guides who show us the way after they have been down that path.” Lolly Daskal.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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THE BENEFITS OF MISTAKES Part Five
“Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated, but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.” Proverbs 24.16
We have been looking at the benefits of mistakes. Mistakes are not palatable, but they come with benefits. Mistakes are educational incidents for us to learn from.
When we learn from our mistakes we acquire valuable experience which makes us better at what we do.
“Mistakes increase your experience and experiences decrease your mistakes. If you learn from your mistakes than others learn from your success.” Unknown
After learning from our mistakes we must then put measures in place to avoid repeating the mistakes and to make the most of the lessons we have learnt and move on.
People all around us are making mistakes everyday. We need to learn from them.
“Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others.” Brandon Mull.
When we make mistakes let us own up and ask God to help us.
Isaiah 41:10-13 Don’t worry” I am with you. Don’t be afraid” I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. Look, some people are angry with you, but they will be ashamed and disgraced. Your enemies will be lost and disappear. You will look for the people who were against you, but you will not be able to find them. Those who fought against you will disappear completely. I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand. And I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid! I will help you.’
“Benefits of making mistakes:
1) It’s how we learn: Mistakes are essential for learning. They highlight areas where we need improvement and push us to find better solutions.
2) Unexpected positive consequences: Sometimes, mistakes lead to surprising and positive outcomes. For example, many scientific discoveries, like penicillin and X-rays, were the result of accidental mistakes.
3) They teach us who we are: How we handle mistakes reveals our true character and resilience. It shows whether we give up or persevere in the face of adversity.
4) They help us deal with disappointment: Learning to cope with failure makes us stronger and more adaptable. It teaches us to handle setbacks with grace and to keep pushing forward.
5) Clarifying our priorities: Mistakes help us understand what truly matters to us. They force us to re-evaluate our goals and strategies. We can reassess our true goals.
6) We take ourselves less seriously: Laughing at our mistakes can make them less daunting and more manageable. It lightens the mood and makes the learning process more enjoyable.” Zoe Ford.
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