Mistakes Don't Make us

When was the last time you made a big mistake that cost you? Were you hard in yourself or gave yourselves the benefit of the doubt?

We already know that negative thoughts can quickly occupy our minds and that we have to always make an effort to stay on the positive side. A drawback of negative thinking is that we start start labelling ourselves and making those mistakes as our identity instead of just a one time thing.

However, the reality is very different from what we feel and think.

For example, if you were driving a car and accidentally bumped into the side wall while parking, it's not true that you are a terrible driver. Rather than labelling yourself as a bad driver, think of it as a one-time thing. How can you learn to drive better next time?

Just like the mind never stops thinking, our subconscious never stops listening to our thoughts. Whenever a negative thought comes to our mind, we must remember to explore the supporting facts that caused it in the first place. The action behind the result can give us more learning opportunities than just labelling ourselves as a failure.

Our beliefs are always based on the perceived opinions of others, and it's important to remember that not everyone has gone through the same experiences. This change in thinking needs consistent practice, and we must focus on the facts behind every negative belief we may have.

Because our subconscious is always listening, we have many daily opportunities to build our mindset. A quick tip is to create a list of 2-3 questions like the following and ask them each time we start labelling ourselves:

• How often do I repeat the same mistake?
• What am I not learning?
• If circumstances were in my control or influence, what would I do instead?

Avoiding the negative mindset and focusing on the facts can change how we view ourselves. Perhaps this is the best way to achieve success and happiness in our lives. What do you think?

Self-Reflection Tips

• Which mistake can you still remember and what have you done about it?
• Which kind of label are you putting yourself?
• How can you use the three questions to change your thinking and your life?

Post Credits: Shadé Zahrai MBA LLB

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