"Own the mistakes..."

"We had to admit to ourselves and to the people of this company that we owned the mistakes that were made. Once we did, it was a powerful turning point. It’s like when you have a secret and get it out: The burden is off your shoulders."

Those are the words of one of America's most successful CEO's, Howard Schultz of Starbucks in his interview with the Harvard Business Review.  He's talking about the amazing power that comes from admitting and owning your mistakes.

Too often we spend our time rationalizing why we're not getting to our dreams.  If something we try is unsuccessful or backfires on us, we immediately seek to understand what happened.  But all too often, we forget to look at ourselves.

We're not perfect.  And as mere imperfect beings with imperfect knowledge, we make mistakes.  If you're like me, you make a lot of them.  One way to respond is to refuse to admit them and seek to place the blame on other people or circumstances.  It couldn't be that perhaps I wasn't as well prepared as I could have been, or maybe got too nervous during the interview, or couldn't read my notes in trial.

Another, better, way is to openly and proudly own your mistakes. 

Each one represents you trying to achieve your dream.  I wouldn't be in court if I hadn't put myself in law school and dared to start practicing at 47. 

Each one is a learning experience, though probably an uncomfortable one.  I learned quickly how to make usable readable trial notes.  Before getting to an interview, I make sure I have at least 15 minutes to relax in preparation. 

Viewed correctly, mistakes are something to be proud of. 

After all, as Mario Andretti said, “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”

So lay down that burden and celebrate your mistakes.  Just try not to keep repeating them!

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