Getting it Wrong

Apr 17, 2023

It's a natural part of the human condition to want to be right.  And it is completely harmless.

A desire to be right is never the cause of not achieving your goals or going after your dreams.  A desire to be right is not why you procrastinate, spin in indecision or wait for something to be "perfect" before moving forward.  A desire to be right is not why you struggle with confidence.

So what is?

It's the fear of getting it wrong.  More than the desire to be right, it's often a fear of getting it wrong that can get in the way of our growth and success. When we're so focused on not getting it wrong, we often miss out on opportunities to learn and grow from our mistakes. Our need to avoid getting it wrong can erode our self-trust and confidence to the point where we don't even try. We hesitate to take risks or try new things and different ways to create a result. This can lead to a fear of failure and a lack of self-trust.

On the other hand, being willing to be wrong opens up more opportunities and potential for growth. When we're open to being wrong, we become more receptive to feedback and can learn from our mistakes. We become more adaptable and flexible, and we're able to pivot when things don't go as planned. By acknowledging that we don't have (nor do we need to have) all the answers and that there's always room for improvement, we open ourselves up to new perspectives and ideas.

Making mistakes and being wrong is a natural part of the learning process. I would argue the most influential part.  We all make mistakes, and it's important to recognize that making mistakes has no impact on our worth or value as a person. Instead, it's in these mistakes and how we respond to them, where an opportunity for the most amazing lessons and growth occur. It's in these moments that we shape character and belief in ourselves and what's possible. 

Building character through how we handle being wrong is key to the growth and development of skills such as discernment, analysis and self trust.  When we can embrace being wrong without making ourselves wrong in the process, we create a sense of comfort and ease in our lives.

One way to do this is by practicing self-compassion. When we make a mistake, we can be kind and gentle with ourselves, recognizing that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process.  That it is a part of our becoming.  I like to use the phrase "This is the part when..." and finish it with whatever I am learning.  Recently, it was "This is the part when I trusted my reasons for saying no even though I wanted to say yes."

When we're willing to be wrong, we become more confident in our abilities and more willing to take risks. We become more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks. We expand our view of what is possible.

Being willing to be wrong allows for more opportunity and potential because being wrong often assumes there is only one right way which is limiting and often untrue. Limiting because if that one way doesn't work; we can think we should give up.  Untrue because there is always more than one way.  

Making mistakes and being wrong is a natural part of the learning process, and is never a reflection of your worth or value as a person. Being open to being wrong, can cultivate more confidence in your ability to handle challenges and setbacks.  This leads to less fear and more openeness and trust in your ability to make powerful decisions towards your goals, follow through and have your own back on the results.  No matter what.  So you can continue making decisions and following through all the way to your goal!

So that you become the person who always does even to and through getting it wrong.

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