MISTAKES ARE OFTEN SUCCESSES...

How To Do It All

This week I want to talk to you about how mistakes are often successes in disguise, although you may wonder how errors can ever be celebrated as successes. However, every mistake sometimes opens a door, which you may have previously not noticed, or overlooked.

Do you ever feel that mistakes may not be the failures you think? Initially, mistakes feel like setbacks, but you eventually notice how blunders redirect focus, or challenge you to think more creatively. They also teach you something invaluable, or help you find solutions, you may not have discovered otherwise.

It’s fascinating to see how mistakes transform themselves and how the unexpected usually thrives. Often, these lessons also help you develop growth, resilience and insight. Each mistake we make is also a sign of courage. By daring to make mistakes, we embrace our vulnerabilities.

Here are some famous examples:

- Penicillin was discovered accidentally when Alexander Fleming noticed mould killing bacteria, turning a laboratory mistake into a revolutionary medical breakthrough into the development of antibiotics.
- It was a spoiled batch of carbonated water and fruit syrup that accidentally created the original formula for Coca-Cola, which is now a worldwide beverage.
- The Post-it Note was born from a failed attempt to make a super-strong adhesive, leading to one of the world’s now most ubiquitous office supplies found everywhere.

However, mistakes aren't always transformative successes. Sometimes, they are simply errors that need rectifying, without yielding groundbreaking results. In many instances, mistakes require time, resources and effort to correct, derailing progress rather than enhancing it.

Also, not every error leads to innovation, or valuable lessons. Some may also obscure lessons, leading to repeated missteps, or frustration. Viewing mistakes as successes may even encourage complacency, reducing the need for precision in the first place. While learning from errors is vital, not all mistakes provide clear guidance.

So, this week, next time you make a mistake, remember that some mistakes may lead to unexpected successes, so see them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. Imperfections are the basis of triumphs, insights and resilience. I guess that means that making mistakes is therefore integral to success!