Comments on: You WILL Mess Up, Get Over It!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:29:08 +0000

Great post that resonated with where I’m at in my life (left big corporation to spend time on my own pursuits). Battling perfectionism is most often the biggest obstacle, so it’s great to be reminded that it’s ok, in fact great, to make a mess, make mistakes because that creates opportunities where you learn.

By: Anlina Sheng

Anlina Sheng — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:44:17 +0000

Growing up with the constant pressure (partially self-imposed) to be perfect, I often find myself paralysed with fear of failure when it comes to taking risks and trying something new. I have to regularly remind myself that failure isn’t the end of the world; that screwing up does not mean I will never, ever be successful; that trying and failing is better than doing nothing and that making a mistake will not irreparably damage my credibility and reputation nor make me an object of ridicule among my peers. Perhaps more than failure itself, I fear making a fool of myself.

I still find it difficult to start anything new, especially if it involves significant risk, but I am getting better, bit by bit. I’ve made progress by starting small, low risk projects ($40 and some personal time to start a blog, if it flops I haven’t lost a huge investment or the income needed to pay my bills, if it succeeds then it bolsters my confidence.) Small successes help build the confidence required to take bigger risks. Little things like putting inspirational quotes on my desktop have also helped remind me that it’s okay to make mistakes and that doing nothing is the worst thing one can do.

By: SarahH

SarahH — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:37:40 +0000

Just messed up big time at work. Got a big chance to do a piece of work. I felt happy with it but just had feedback that it’s really terrible. My work usually of the highest standard so I feel gutted. But this was a new area for me and I was taking a chance – convinced them I can do it and i wasn’t up to scratch. Feeling really dreadful, I found this post which has helped hugely. Guess, I could have not tried something new and stayed in my comfort zone. This was certainly falling over to repeat the skiing analogy.

By: It’s Never Too Late (Or, It’s Always Too Late, So Stop Worrying About it Already) at Personal PR

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:21:36 +0000

[...] trick is to stop worrying about that part and move anyway. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “It’s Never Too Late (Or, [...]

By: Halina

Halina — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:06 +0000

How do you know that something is a mistake?
It’s just a judgment, based on what you believe should be happening, as opposed to what is happening.
If your life was a novel, would you judge certain scenes there as mistakes? Probably not – it’s just part of the novel, part of the story. It’s really perfect.

Halina

By: Ask the leadership coach » TV | Career Renegade | Career Change Revolution

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:39:21 +0000

[...] Emily Jasper posted a noteworthy aricle today onHere’s a small snippetA life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. -George Bernard Shaw Simple fact…you’re going to. [...]

By: Career Renegade: You WILL Mess Up, Get Over It! « ankush narula

Career Renegade: You WILL Mess Up, Get Over It! « ankush narula — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:57:55 +0000

[...] Unless…you do nothing. [...]

By: Jonathan Fields

Jonathan Fields — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:28:16 +0000

@ Joe – Love the kayaking analogy!

@ Chis – Yeah, that’s an interesting point about the power of allowing mistakes in school

@ Ken – we all beat ourselves at at times, but it’s about realizing when you’re doing it, letting go and just learning what you can, then moving on. And, thanks for the props on the book, man!

@ Jesse – “If you ever stop falling down, you know it’s time to quit.” Well, I definitely don’t have to worry about that when I snowboard! lol!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:16:29 +0000

Here Here!

I was a skier for over 20 years, having taught for 15 of those. There’s one thing I found myself telling kids and parents over and over again, “If you ever stop falling down, you know it’s time to quit.” that’s how I’d answer a whining kid who just ate it in the bumps, and that’s what I’d tell parents who were getting bored with our small local hill…

I find the same thing holds true in the world of computers and computer education, if you ever know exactly how to fix a problem without first trying 3 things that don’t work, it’s time to retire. Either that or write a book and make your millions!

Jesse

By: marc lougee

marc lougee — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:27:31 +0000

Great post! Really appreciate the feedback dropping in, as well, specifically Joe’s analogy of whitewater rafting. (I would use the same for rock climbing)- either way, truer words hard to find. Thanks again for an inspirational bit. Hope it free’s up many folks from performance-oriented self-defeat . Cheers, Marc