The Art of Making Good Mistakes
Mistakes are an inevitable part of life. From the small slip-ups in our daily routines to the more significant errors in judgment, they can often be the source of frustration and stress. However, what if I told you that making mistakes could be a valuable and even creative process? In this article, we’ll explore the concept of “making good mistakes” and how it can lead to personal growth, innovation, and success.
1. The Fear of Failure:
Many of us are conditioned to fear failure from an early age. The fear of making mistakes can be paralyzing, preventing us from taking risks and pursuing our goals. However, it’s crucial to understand that no one is immune to making errors, and even the most successful individuals have faced setbacks along their journey. We need to encourage risk taking, in fact one of the features of high performing teams is the psychological safety of being able to make mistakes. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve made errors of judgement! What I have learned is that there is no point in trying to hide my failures, it is way better to be humble and admit my shortcoming but importanly to learn from the mistake and don’t make it again.
2. Learning and Growth:
Making mistakes provides a unique opportunity for learning and growth. When we get something wrong, it’s a chance to examine our actions, understand what went awry, and adapt for the future. Thomas Edison, while inventing the light bulb, famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His persistence and willingness to learn from “failed” attempts eventually led to one of the most significant inventions in history.
In delivering complex projects with multiple specialist vendors it is impossible to know everything. I rely on the teams around me to highlight risk and issues in their specialist area so that as the project manager I can plan for the best project outcome. Nobody like’s to admit a mistake or something that was not thought of from the beginning but by modelling humility and admiting my mistakes it creates an environment where other people are ready to admit their mistakes.
3. Creativity and Innovation, your biggest mistake can become something beautiful:
Some of the most groundbreaking discoveries and inventions in history resulted from mistakes or accidents. Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin, for example, revolutionised medicine. When we embrace the unexpected outcomes of our actions, we open the door to innovation and new possibilities.
The Japanese art of restoring broken pots Kintsugi where broken pottery is joined together with liquid gold is a beautiful illustration of embracing imperfection. The artist does not seek to hide the imperfections but to highlight them in a beautiful way restoring the pottery to a working form. In a similar way we need to use creativity to learn from our mistakes and make something beautiful out of them.
4. Resilience and Adaptability leads to hope:
Making mistakes can build resilience and adaptability. When we learn to bounce back from setbacks, we become more resilient in the face of adversity. This ability to adapt is a valuable life skill, helping us navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination.
In the project context do good teams make fewer mistakes? If an organisation doesn’t admit it mistakes how can people feel the psychological safety to admit their own mistakes? In fact celebrating mistakes encourages people to move forward and be creative.
A key part of resilience is hope, a good tactic is to take one day at a time. When you are faced with difficult project situations or decisions then start with the next logical task and incrementally try to resolve the situation or problem this will give you hope. A journey of a thousand steps starts with one step and you just need to put one foot in front of the other to move forward.
5. Perfection vs. Progress practice gratefulness:
The pursuit of perfection can be paralysing. By striving for flawlessness in everything we do, we risk missing out on opportunities for progress and personal development. Making good mistakes reminds us that perfection is an unrealistic standard and that progress often involves a series of imperfect steps. Essentially it is better to progress than to be perfect. In the world of project delivery just moving forward with something rather than being paralysed waiting for someone to make a decision is way better. For example you can have conflicting opinions from different experts and sometimes you just need to go with one idea and move forward. Even if it is not the perfect decision the momentum you create motivates your team to fill in the gaps and make it work.
Another key attitude is that of gratefulness in everything you do. Thanking your team for the support on what they have already delivered so far or just appreciating a beautiful sunset or a windy autumnal day can inspire positivity in yourself and help you think creatively about how to move forward.
6. Embracing Imperfection:
To make good mistakes, it’s essential to reframe our perception of mistakes. Instead of viewing them as failures, see them as experiments or stepping stones toward your goals. Embrace the imperfections and uncertainties of life as part of the beautiful tapestry of your journey. Part of the challenge of being authentic is recognising your weaknesses or blind spots, so instead of failing in the quest to be perfect, embrace your imperfections and see them as a gift.
Practical Tips:
- Foster a growth mindset: Embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities to learn.
- Reflect on your mistakes: Take the time to analyze what went wrong and how you can do better next time.
- Don’t fear criticism: Constructive feedback can help you improve and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
- Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge your achievements, big and small, along the way.
Conclusion:
In the art of making good mistakes, we discover that our missteps are not the end but a vital part of our journey. They teach us, challenge us, and ultimately lead us to greater heights. By embracing imperfection and reframing our perspective on mistakes, we unlock our creativity, resilience, and adaptability. Remember that the path to success is rarely a straight line; it’s the twists, turns, and occasional detours that make the journey worthwhile. So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes – make good mistakes, and watch yourself grow and evolve in ways you never imagined.
