Let's Go Make Mistakes!

I was getting some marketing help today. In the process of it, I was reminded that it's not about getting everything right. We try things, they work or don't, and we try something different. This is apparently the secret to good marketing.

Simone Seol has a "garbage post challenge."

Margo Aaron encourages students to write "crappy first drafts."

And today, I was encouraged with a resounding, "let's go make mistakes!"

Why are people so afraid of making mistakes when they learn new things?

When we're talking about life and death situations, I completely understand the fear of making mistakes. In fact, I appreciate that people are cautious in those situations. But most mistakes are far from life and death.

In fact, mistakes are wonderful teachers. Some mistakes are so common that we expect them.... like hearing a young child say "ringed" instead of "rang."

We all fell when we learned to walk, and most of our parents clapped anyway because they were so excited about the few wobbly steps preceding the fall. So when did we all learn that mistakes are bad? When did we become afraid of them?

I am often mistaken for a perfectionist. I am very driven, and I love the idea of fine-tuning what I'm doing. I like things to be right. But I'm not afraid to be wrong. I'm not afraid to make mistakes as I learn to do something. As long as I get the opportunity to acknowledge what DOES go right, I enjoy looking at things and figuring out how to make them better. There is a difference between striving for excellence and being hung up on perfection.

Excellence incorporates mistakes into the equation. It understands that we can be satisfied - even happy - with where we are right now, even as we look to learn more. That mindset embraces mistakes. It knows that the more mistakes we make, the closer we get to the right answer.

What would it feel like to have mistakes celebrated?

"Good work! That first draft you wrote was TERRIBLE. Here are my notes. Let's see what comes next."

"Congratulations! You mixed up your dance routine. Let's do it again."

"Yes! That ad got me nowhere! What can I try next?"

I'm going to embrace the mistakes this month. I will make as many as I can (that don't harm others) so that I can learn as much as I can. You're invited to join me.

Let's go make mistakes!