Here’s something no one has ever said: “I love being wrong!”
We all make mistakes yet for some reason, we can’t seem to admit them. But research shows that when we shame ourselves for our screw-ups we’re less likely to learn from them. So here are some tips on how to evolve past hating on yourself for mistakes and growing from them instead.
● Separate Your Self-Worth From Your Mistakes. Let’s get one thing clear. You’re not dumb because you make mistakes. You probably just need some help and that doesn’t make you a bad person. Reach out to a mentor, lean on a coworker, ask a friend, or hire some professional help. And bosses, studies show that when you step in to help an employee learn from their mistakes you not only improve their performance but your entire organization.
● Own Your Mistakes And Apologize For Them When Appropriate. When your mistake involves hurting another person, you should say sorry. Not only because it’s the right thing to do but because it’s also the easiest way to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them. Keep your apology short, genuine, and avoid blaming it on some external force. Simply take the blame and move on.
● Forgive. Stop being so hard on yourself. Psychologists June Price Tangney and Rhonda L. Dearing say shame is a huge part of what drives us to hide our mistakes, which leads to us not learning from them or failed attempts to cover them up, which only creates more shame. When you make the choice to end that cycle and start acknowledging your mistakes, make sure to forgive yourself for them too. You’re only human.