What Are You Looking At?
Why look at my mistakes? It feels embarrassing and frustrating, and most likely, if I’m replaying a mistake, it’s because I didn’t get what I wanted or needed from my efforts.
For example, maybe my goal was getting into better shape. If I made an effort and saw no results—or, even worse, ended up in a worse place than when I started—why would I want to look at it? I’m already seeing the disappointing result. Don’t I get it?
Athletes review their performance after a game, whether they win or lose. Although the score gives them an idea of how the game went, watching themselves play helps them understand their mistakes, learn from their techniques, and notice movements they might have missed during the game.
Playing the game and watching yourself play offers a completely different perspective. Reviewing my “game” doesn’t mean I criticize myself and move on. It means I critique my decisions to recognize what would be beneficial to repeat and what would be advantageous to let go of.
When we’re in the middle of a project, work, or meeting, we can’t always see all the options. That’s why reviewing is so helpful. Like a rearview mirror, a quick glance—long enough to be informative and keep us moving forward as safely and efficiently as possible—can make all the difference.
ACTION: Set aside a few minutes today to reflect on a recent mistake. Write down what happened, how you felt, and what you can learn from it. Use this reflection to inform your future actions and decisions.
