So, here’s one for all of us who tend to act before we think.  Sometimes, we make an assumption that is incorrect.  Others, we go on ahead without full knowledge.  Still others, we just plain do something stupid.

Now that you’ve done something, you can’t go back and do it over again.  Ok, now what?

Take Responsibility

There’s not much I dislike more than someone who has obviously made a mistake try and act like it wasn’t really their fault.  Own up to mistakes that are truly yours.  It takes some honesty on your part, and it isn’t very fun.  But it’s the right thing to do.  Sometimes, the mistake is not completely your fault.  Even then, take responsibility for the part that was yours.  Don’t let people walk over you, but own your own actions.

Learn From Them

Now that we’ve taken responsibility for our goof, learn from the blasted thing!  In other words, don’t do it again.  Take stock of what led to your mistake, and note what choices you made that were wrong or not the best.  Sometimes the decisions you made will not initially seem wrong or less than optimum.  Next time you are in the situation, remember the previous outcome.  With that in mind, you should be wary of decisions which lead there again.  Don’t waste a mistake!

There’s not much else.  Pretty simple.

Also, remember your mistakes when someone else makes one.  Some mistakes deserve hard consequences, but do not act as if it makes that person anything less.  It’s not like you’re perfect either!

What mistakes have you learned the most from?  Which ones do you laugh at in retrospect?