Mistakes, the greatest learning tool.

Mistakes, the greatest learning tool

We all think that when we make mistakes we have got something wrong. We feel bad and think we are useless and view ourselves negatively. We feel embarrassed especially if we make a public mistake. Basically we can feel like crap.  This can often leads to the ‘if only’ state of mind.

But actually mistakes show us what needs improving. If we didn’t make mistakes, how would we know what we needed to work on. Often many of us feel so bad about any mistakes we make we try to defend them or even deny making them. 

When asked about inventing the light bulb, Thomas Edison was asked ‘How did it feel to fail 1000 times when attempting to make the lightbulb.’ Edison replied that ‘The lightbulb was an invention that needed a 1001 steps.’

Sadly, we don’t see our lives in this way. We just immediately think we are useless or unworthy. Even to the point where we won’t try any more.  We always strive for immediate perfection!

If we were more accepting of our mistakes, we’d make then freely. There would be no blame or trying to cover things up. The goal would then become getting better and not perfection.

Mistakes are valuable, if for no other reason, than they show us what not to do.

In films mistakes are common place….take two, take three…

So what does that mean?

When learning, growing or trying new things we always make mistakes. It’s a natural part of learning.

The biggest mistake we can make…is to avoid making mistakes.

I hope that was helpful. If you have any questions at all on what I have talked about, definitely reach out to me in the comments of this post and I will get back to you!