Mistakes are unavoidable, whether from habit, being ill-advised, or changes in our understanding. They are inevitable and can’t be completely avoided. But we can learn from them.

Pluto is a planet. No, it isn’t. Red meat is bad for you. No, it isn’t. Smoking low tar cigarettes is not as bad a health risk. Yes, it is. “New Math” improves kids’ learning. No, not even close.

We need to learn to apologize, atone, show remorse, fix what we can, and move on. We can’t dwell on errors or we’d never be able to move. (Errors are a close cousin to sin.)

The culprit here is fear. If we’re afraid we will tend to remain silent instead of saying what’s needed, and say something instead of remaining silent which is what’s needed.

If we are “vulnerable” and open to hearing trusted feedback about our errors, we will not only be able to better correct them now and avoid them in the future, but also to grow consistently.

Learn why Alan prohibits “drive-by bragging.”