From time to time, I do make less-than-optimal choices. But I maximize these mistakes by turning them into learning experiences.

I view mistakes as a necessary part of life. If things are always easy and already laid out for me, how would I be able to learn?

Though it may sound odd, I enjoy failure as much as I do success. This is because with dedication, I can eventually turn my failures into some of my greatest successes! I attribute this to the lessons I learn from my mistakes.

Everyone knows that hands-on teaching is the best way to learn something forever. And triumphs and pitfalls are all part of this learning experience.

When learning how to bake, I could barely frost a cake without ending up with crumbs on the outer layer. But after making mistakes, I learned that it is necessary to crumb coat a cake in order to keep the outermost frosting layer free of crumbs.

Whether I am dealing with a cake, a situation with my children, or any other circumstance, I can utilize the information I’ve learned from past attempts to achieve optimal results this time around.

Each experience plays a small part in the person I become, and my mistakes in the past help shape me into the person I am today.

Today, I take each mistake as a learning experience. I can make the most out of my challenges by tackling the same task with a different approach later.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Which mistakes have led to my greatest successes?
2. Do I allow myself to make mistakes?
3. How do I react when my plans turn out quite differently than expected?