Mistakes

Isn't it odd that we try as hard as possible not to make mistakes when it is our mistakes that often lead to discovery and learning? Without mistakes, we wouldn’t have Penicillin, the Microwave, Saccharin, Super Glue, Teflon, Bakelite, Wheaties, or the Pacemaker to name a few. But more than the accidental discoveries, it is our mistakes that help us learn and grow. I am always of two minds when someone tries to lend a helping hand so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past. We get to where we're going quicker not repeating mistakes, but we give up the learning and miss out on unique solutions that we would have come up with. Try something new even if it means risking failure—because sometimes it ends in success. I can't tell you the number of people that have written back with thanks on my post of Aha! Moments. Their systems never sounded better and for free. When you experiment you risk making mistakes and failure. But, without it, you cease to grow. Go on, make a mistake today.