The 3 keys to being in the mistake making business

Making mistakes is something we all do. And if you’re trying to accomplish something great – like building a company – then mistakes are part of the process. And making mistakes CORRECTLY becomes the goal ;)

Here are my 3 tried and true lessons for successfully being in the mistake making business:

#1 – Recognizing and reflecting on your mistakes

I find the practice of looking back on decisions that I’ve made and reflecting on the ones that ended up badly as a necessary process to self-improvement. I don’t look back at mistakes in order to punish myself for my dumbness, but rather to think about how I might have approached that particular decision differently.

The point is, get into the practice of looking back and reflecting on the decisions you’ve made. Don’t beat yourself up, but do think about how you can improve.

Related post – 10 mistakes I’ve made so you won’t have to

#2 – Only make NEW mistakes

Part of the goal of making mistakes is to learn from them, and then, never to make them again! Otherwise, what’s the expression…fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Don’t fool yourself over and over with the same mistakes.

But at the same time, keeping making mistakes! If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re being driven by the desire to avoid them, which leads to complacency and lack of progress.

Related post – Only make new mistakes – advice for kids and companies

#3 – Admit and share your mistakes

In a recent leadership team meeting at Dragon Army, I told the team about a mistake I made in predicting how companies would work with agencies on mobile projects. I just flat missed it, and wished that I had recognized it sooner. I shared this so that a) they’d continue to be more comfortable admitting mistakes they make, and b) so they can help problem-solve my mistake.

Related post – On admitting mistakes