Errors and Mistakes

When mistakes occur, ask these three key questions:

1. Can you fix it? Does it make sense to fix it? Do you want to fix it?

2. What can you learn from this mistake?

2. What can you do to prevent the mistake from happening again?  

Too often, explosive rage is the knee jerk reaction to mistakes. Anger puts everyone on edge. It delays and distracts from successful resolution and rarely adds to the process.  Related Posting

Channel anger, angst and remorse about the error into determined drives to succeed, build new skills and gain strengths that lead to positive outcomes in the future.

Mistakes and errors are valuable learning tools. The key to success is to learn how to:   

• Minimize the number of errors you make.

• Avoid repeating mistakes.

• Recover rapidly and effectively from errors.
  

Everyone wants to excel and do well.  Model, encourage and explain successful error resolution.

Educational gaps are the source of many errors and mistakes:

1. We don't know what to do.  Gain new skills and insights for the future.

2. We know what to do but we don't apply it to the present circumstances. Learn to apply existing strengths to new situations more effectively.

3. We know what to do but we don't follow through. This often comes from low motivation or poor priorities, we don't think it's important or immediate.  Emphasize and appreciate the impact of our lapse on our own success and other people's well-being.

4. Situations outside of our control cause the error. Learn to anticipate errors, assess situations and recover effectively.

Other common sources of errors and mistakes include:  

• Lapses of concentration, attention and effort - Emphasize risks of distractions, lapses and dropping drive to complete tasks.    

• Poor planning - Think through the specific steps, processes and resources to successfully achieve what you want to accomplish. 

Understanding the real source of errors and mistakes is the key to resolving them effectively and preventing them from happening again.

Continually emphasize desires and drives to excel and do well!

Explore HappinessHabit.com  for more happiness insights.

Copyright 1999-2009, Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. This material may NOT be published, broadcast, redistributed or rewritten without written permission from the authors.