Making A Post-Mistake Game Plan

A couple of important skills to have in your employee toolkit are a willingness to collaborate and attention to detail. These involve knowing how to work with others as well as paying attention in your workplace to gain an expert-level understanding of its culture. And both of these are key elements in figuring out how to move on from any slip-up you may have made on the clock! In the spirit of teamwork and engaging with our workplace (in this case, the Internet), today we’re highlighting tips from other employment heavy hitters who are in the business of making businesses run smoothly. 

First up, Amy Morin from Forbes provides an excellent list of tactics for turning your mistakes into valuable life lessons. Here are a couple of our favorites:

• “Create A List Of Reasons Why You Don’t Want To Make The Mistake Again.” Morin says, “Sometimes, it only takes one weak moment to indulge in something you shouldn’t. Creating a list of all the reasons why you should stay on track could help you stay self-disciplined, even during the toughest times.”
• “Move Forward With Your New-Found Wisdom.” Morin writes, “Sometimes, mistakes aren’t just one big blunder. Instead, they’re a series of little choices that lead to failure.  So pay attention to your errors, no matter how big or how small they might seem. And recognize that each mistake can be an opportunity to build mental muscle and become better.”

Dr. Suzanne Gelb at The Muse offers additional insights into ways you can improve your workplace game. Here are our highlights: 

• “Take Better Care of Yourself.” This one might seem basic, but is easy to overlook: make sure you’re eating, hydrating, and sleeping!
• “Earn Back Trust Through Your Actions—Not Just Your Words.” Gelb adds, “The best way to earn people’s trust and admiration is to consistently deliver great work. Period. Do that, and occasional bouts of forgetfulness or slip-ups here and there are likely to be quickly forgiven—and forgotten.”

Remember, you’re not alone. There are even already several stories out there on the Internet from other people who’ve similarly screwed up! It’s truly not the end of the world. Just own up to your mistake. Apologize–but don’t overdo it. And get back on track by making yourself an indispensable employee. Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston