Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Don’t dwell on mistakes or punish yourself. We all make mistakes. These are teachable moments. *
- Think about one mistake that you’ve made recently and reflect on the events surrounding it. Brainstorm ways it could have been avoided or done differently.
- Recognize and describe the behaviors you needed to avoid the mistake or work through it differently.
- During this exercise, write down what you’ve learned from making the mistake… try to think outside the box. If you have trouble determining what you could learn from it, or what behaviors need to be adjusted, a therapist, counselor, or best friend can help you process through it.
STEP 2: Once you’ve determined the necessary behaviors changes and key learnings from the situations, start implementing them immediately. Maybe it’s that you need to set boundaries with someone, practice saying NO, or better manage your anger or anxiety – whatever it is, start working on it today. Having an accountability partner, counselor, or book to reference will be helpful as you learn and practice your new skills and behaviors.
STEP 3: Own up to and learn from your mistakes as one of life’s many experiences. Although they can be painful, mistakes help us learn more about ourselves, what we want and don’t want in in life, and what types of people we want to spend time with. To be successful, we must recognize and reflect on our mistakes and then LET IT GO.
STEP 4: Forgive yourself for any of the wrongs you committed and forgive others where necessary. Forgiveness does not always mean letting something or someone toxic back into your life, but it does mean letting go of the grudge. Make amends, own up to your part in the experience, apologize if necessary and move on.
STEP 5: If necessary, talk with someone who can help you work through the tough emotions. When we hold on to our mistakes, our bodies and minds (both conscious and subconscious) can get consumed in fear, anger, anxiety, and hurt. This isn’t good for anyone and can even cause physical and mental ailments.
