Feature Image by Kobu Agency
As humans, mistakes are a natural part of everyday life. Maybe you forgot your lunch on the kitchen table or hopped on the wrong train during your commute – mistakes come in all shapes and sizes and they happen to everyone.
Mistakes are also bound to happen in the workplace, no matter the profession or the level you’re at, whether you’re an intern or CEO. If you do make a mistake while on the clock, there are a few things you can do to help ease the mishap and bounce back.
Calm down
The first thing to do when you realize you made a mistake is to remain calm. The worst thing to do is to fantasize about the “what ifs” and come up with scenarios that could ensue from the mess up. Whether it was sending an email to the wrong person or putting wrong information into a presentation, it is in your best interest to not let your mind get the best of you. If you remain calm, you’ll be better suited to handle the mistake.
Admit to the mistake
When you make a mistake, you should always own up to it. If you can take ownership and admit that you messed up instead of trying to hide it, you’ll feel better knowing you were honest and not have to work overtime to come up with a long-winded story or lie.
Present a solution to your boss
Next to owning your mistake, the best thing you can do is go to your boss with a solution before they even realize a mistake has been made. It will show them that not only can you admit to your mistake, but you also are proactive about solving issues that arise. You can adapt to change, act on your feet, and right a wrong in an instant.
Analyze what went wrong
When all is said and done, the mistake is fixed, and the dust has settled, it’s time to figure out what happened. Go back and retrace your steps to find out what went wrong and where it went wrong. If it’s a minor mistake, it’ll be easy to spot the slip-up, but if it’s something a little more serious, you may have a bit of analyzing to do. This will help you prevent another big mistake from happening in the future.
Forgive yourself
The most important thing to do when you make a mistake at work? Forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up about it, don’t make yourself sick over it, and don’t spend too long thinking about it. One mistake doesn’t erase all your hard work, and one mistake doesn’t mean you’re not good at your job. The most successful people on the planet make mistakes in their jobs, and you will probably make a few more in your career. Don’t stress and just make sure you learn from every hiccup along the way.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
