Monday, September 03, 2007

Is making mistakes really bad?

Wrong concept about mistakes
In school, at home or at work we are told that it is wrong to make mistakes. We get scolded or punished for any mistakes made and are taught that failures are shameful things. This could be the reason why many people give up on their goals. They are not prepared for the mistakes and failures they will face on their way to what they want.

“The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.” - John Maxwell


Mistakes are inevitable

The fact that the more challenging the goal we would like to achieve, the more frequent and difficult setbacks will be. The larger your ambitions, the more dependent you will be on your ability to overcome and learn from your mistakes.


“Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.” - George Bernard Shaw

Learn from mistakes
You can only learn from a mistake after you admit you’ve made it. Every mistake is a lesson. As soon as you start blaming other people you won't learn any possible lesson.

“A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake.” - Confucius

"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it." - O. A. Battista

Benefit of making mistakes

"Mistakes are stepping stones to success."

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” - James Joyce

"The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way." - Dale Carnegie

We learn more lessons when we make mistakes.

I learn a lesson when I sat on my glasses when I place it on my bed. That was indeed an expensive mistake. After that incident I would never place my glasses on my bed.

However, there are indeed some mistakes that are very painful and offer no chance to regret! So be very careful!

Have you learn a great deal from your mistakes?

Photo 1 by rob_pym taken from this source
Photo 2 by millzero taken from this source

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15 comments:

Unknown said...

YEAH, tat's y i made/make a lot of mistakes.. =P

Sam Chan said...

Hi spookygrace,

Thanks for sharing your honest experience. Well, I believe you had also learned a lot from those mistakes that you had made - right?

Best Wishes

mr fong said...

Haha, you're right, even while teaching I would make many stylistic errors that does not suit the child, so have to change, no choice..


Thanks for opening my eyes against the common perceptions.Morning, you're awake, wow.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Winston,

Thanks for sharing your teaching experience. I am glad this little post managed to help you to grasp another perception about "Making Mistakes".

Best Wishes

anits said...

Hi sir... i agree with this post! You should not be shy with mistake..its just that correct it and excel in your life!

Best Wishes sir

surjit singh said...

A great quote:
“A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake.”
I think this explains it all.
Thanks for sharing another great post.
Good luck.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Anits,

It is alright to try and fail, but don't fail to try!

Best Wishes to you.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Surjit,

Thanks for your continued support and interest in what I do. I really value your participation.

My Best Wishes

Jennifer Jones said...

Hi Sam,

GREAT post!

I am one of those who tend to fear mistakes... but you are so right, we can learn and grow from them!

Thanks Sam!

Jen

http://goodnessgraciousness.blogspot.com

Sue said...

Mistakes are often the foundation for success, unless you are really lucky.

Sam Chan said...

You are welcome Jennifer!

I tend to believe lots of people fear making mistakes. Till we all learn to have a different perception about making mistakes we learn less.

Best Wishes to you, Jennifer

Sam Chan said...

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your valuable thoughts. True unless we are unlucky, mistakes are often the foundation for success.

Best Wishes

Anonymous said...

Mistakes are unavoidable. But we can learn from others mistakes and avoid making the same mistakes. We should not make the same mistakes again and again.

Open Your Mind to Prosperity

Sam Chan said...

Hi Honman,

Thanks for your insight and wisdom. Indeed, we can avoid making the same mistake by learning from others who had made the mistake. Then be wise not to repeat those mistakes that we made over and over again.

Best Wishes

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