If you take risks and put yourself out there publicly, you are going to make mistakes in front of people. Believe me, I know. From art and photography shows, to launching my own T-Shirt line, to having a greeting card agent in New York, to public speaking, to publishing books - I get it right most of the time, but glitches are a certainty and I've learned to roll with it and learn from it. 

It seems nothing is perfect in the first go 'round...or even second or third. I have to accept the fact I am in a continual state of evolution. 

A recent workshop and the participant feedback comments had me flashing back to a night I was asked to take on the role of comedian at a birthday party for a prominent figure in our community. How I regretted caving in agreeing to do it after initially declining. 

Listen in to hear about that situation and the lessons I learned that stick with me to this day:

1. Don't talk on subject you know nothing about!

2. Know what you are good at and what you aren't good at. Don't agree to do what you aren't good at if you are going to be promoted as having skills you do not possess. 

3. Trust your instincts.

4. Allow yourself to know what you know. 

5. NEVER make decisions based primarily on trying to please others.