Learning from Mistakes

One of the most human things a person can do is make mistakes. I firmly believe that, with enough hard work, you can come back from nearly any mistake. If you put in the effort to change your ways and repent for your errors (if appropriate), then it becomes possible to either fix your current mistakes or come back from them faster in the future. Best case scenario, you will learn so that you won’t make the same mistake again.

How do you learn from your current or past mistakes so that you can avoid repeating them in the future?

Reflect – Ask yourself: What was my mistake? How did I get into this situation? Was anyone else affected by my mistake? What are the steps that I need to take in order to change my ways?
Repent – Was anyone affected? Who do I have to apologize to, and how? What can I do to lessen the effects of my mistake on other people? Make amends to those who your mistakes affected, and show, rather than tell, them how you plan to fix your mistakes and do better.
Change – Once you have determined what you need to do, and how you need to change, DO IT! If you need someone who will help you stay accountable, then find that person. If you always forget to book your travel until it is too late, then set up a calendar alert for a date a few weeks or months before your trip to remind yourself to book your ticket.

In a perfect world, no one would do anything wrong, but what fun would that be? Some of my best adventures have come from turning down the wrong street and getting lost, but I have also been negatively affected by other mistakes, as I assume, we all have. Learning from our mistakes only makes us stronger, and into better people who do not repeat their erroneous actions. What are other ways in which you can learn from your mistakes?