“The best time to make a plan for the next time is at the end of your current session,” was some advice I was given. This obvious and brilliant method was to have a few key points listed where we could easily spot them for the next session. After doing it once, you can more easily see what might work next time.
- What observations did you make?
- What did work?
- What might need more time or a different approach?
- What is a possibility to get the result you want?
The same goes for the when you mess up. When you mess up, this is important. Look back with curiosity. What can you do next time instead? Catch yourself. Instead of saying, ‘I messed up, it is already ruined.’ Think, ‘Now I know.’
- I know that this snack is too high in sugar.
- I know that I can choose the other option.
- I can read the menu ahead of time.
- I know that meeting is going to go over so I will let the presenter know ahead of time. (Or reschedule.)
- Decide now that you will choose a regular coffee, etc.
Then make the plan for next time. Making mistakes is often when people give up. It may give them the evidence they are looking for to prove to themselves that it won’t work. The mistake is only showing you what needs to change. It is showing you the points that you need a new approach to be successful or that you just need more practice.
This takes a little bit of reflecting and patience with oneself. Take a little time to think about some different options. What did you not see then, that you can see now? Without the berating of oneself, count this as a necessary step for learning. You don’t know until you go through it.
More reading I recommend: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. In this book, the author is able to show you a different, and more helpful way, to look at challenges.
Link to book on Amazon. At the time of this post, audible membership has a free audio of his book. As an Amazon Associate, if you choose to buy I get a small portion. Thank you for reading. ❤️