Everyone Makes Mistakes | Career Angles

A client of mine would ask an interview question.

“Everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes. You make mistakes. Tell me about a professional mistake you made and what you learned from it.”

What most people learn from their mistakes is not to do it again.

They learn to become inert for fear of making a mistake.

Why?

Because from the time that they were small in the school system until now, as adults, in the workforce, mistakes or something that you’re punished for.

Thus, we learn not to stretch the envelope for fear of retribution or worse.

Yet what’s most important is not to stay stuck in place.

It is like what we tell young children to do — get back up on the horse and go for a ride.

“You are soooo close. I know you can do it this time. I watch you and this time I’m sure you’ll be able to do it.”

There are lots of things that we do as adults for our children to help them overcome their fear at that moment.

As adults, we don’t do it anymore.

We don’t ask for someone to watch us.

We don’t ask for advice.