The best piece of information that I got when I re-entered the workforce in 2011 was this:
“You are going to screw up.”
Bluntly, my new boss left it at that. I was a bit speechless. But after the initial shock of the statement, it kind of freed me up from worrying about doing the wrong thing. Because I was going to at some point.
After that first day, I did screw up, and I have screwed up since, and I will screw up moving forward. And now, I AM the boss.
I think the lesson in all of it, is screwing up is inevitable, but it’s how you manage your mistakes afterwards that makes the difference. Do you move on from them and try to be better or do you fall into the same trap time and time again? Do you analyze where the system or process goes awry, and do you make an effort to change it? I hope so.
But how many times does it take before you stop making the same mistakes?
It works this way in life too. We are human. We screw up.
And, at one time or another we feel like we are running into the same wall, falling into the same hole, and making the same mistakes.
Have you ever just sat back, in a non-reactive state, and scratched your head and wondered why?
It’s easy to assess simple mistakes, but larger mistakes can be a bear to figure out—not to mention the work of undoing them or cleaning up from their path of destruction.
Ahhh… mistakes. Screw-ups.
As I reflect back on this past year and what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, I realize 2024 has been about fixing my mistakes intensely and decisively. It’s been uncomfortable and eye-opening, and the process has been very painful at times. But, let’s face it, we don’t make change unless we feel all those feelings.
Why would we?
Recovering from mistakes takes power, tenacity, and an intentionality not to repeat the same mistake. It means changing the mindset, the pattern, and the way we think. Seemingly easy, but oh, so hard.
Being thankful for me this year is the chance I have been given to fix my mistakes. It’s also about gratitude for those who have had to sit on the sideline and watch me go through this painful process of figuring it out in 2024.
I am so thankful for all of you.
I am thankful for my life, my kids, my family and friends, the roof over my head, the dog, and the beautiful outdoors.
And if any of you have been fixing mistakes this year, know that you have not been alone. Fearless leader Kate has been, too! And that’s okay, we got this! Together.
Forward ho, my friends! Get off the hamster wheel, change your patterns, and fix your mistakes. And for goodness sake, always find something to smile about and be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
With love,
Kate
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