I made a mistake at work today. In the moment, it felt bad, as mistakes generally do. Yet, I quickly moved into odd gratitude for the healthy dose of perspective it brought.
See, I used to feel as though I should be walking on eggshells in my jobs. I vividly remember moments in internships where I was terrified I’d make a mistake. It seemed all forces of the universe were conspiring against me and the misstep would inevitably come. It was just a matter of time.
But, I’ve come to understand that you should never be fearful of mistakes. Life isn’t about imperfection; it’s about growth and learning. Today’s mistake reminded me:
Your value does not lie in your perfection.
I am not valuable to my employer (or anyone else) because I am perfect. I am valuable because I am a unique package of values, personality, skills and expertise. That exact package is irreplaceable.
Own every bit of who you are, including your mistakes and flaws.
It’s tempting to try to brush off missteps or overlook flaws, but when you face them head on, you gain a hefty amount of self-regard, deepening your own confidence and enabling others to respect you more.
Allow your mistakes to be a compass to your core values.
Mistakes may very well be the product of compromised core values. Their occurrence is a careful reminder to wholeheartedly commit to creating an environment that upholds your own values.
Each of these insights affirmed --“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing that you will make one.”- Ellen Hubbard
