How do you handle making mistakes? Coach Katie Collins shares her thoughts.

Making Mistakes…and Learning to Laugh About It

I (Katie) was 7 years old, and had one of the most important roles in our Christmas production… to hold the candle steady in my hands, and keep it lit. Myself and a boy a year younger than me were tasked to shine the light in the otherwise pitch-dark room, and all of a sudden, I had a fit of the giggles.

My joyous, inappropriately timed laughter went “poof” in a quick push of air that extinguished my one and only candle.

It wasn’t the end of the world, the other child kept his candle burning…

But I was devastated. 😱

I had made a mistake and to think that I’m still talking about it, almost 40 years later, lets you know the imprint that this mistake made.

A tendency to always strive for perfection, I often let myself down.

How to Deal with Making Business Mistakes?

It wasn’t until I went into business for myself that I had to learn that mistakes were okay, and actually, rather necessary.

As they told me when I learned how to snowboard 🏂 — if you’re not falling, you’re not trying hard enough.

Now, not only am I willing to be goofy and make mistakes… I can finally laugh at them too.

May these “oopsies” make you giggle, too.  🤣

🤦‍♀️  I had baked surprise cookies for friends/teammates who were working at a live event… but I shipped them to the wrong hotel!

🤦‍♀️ An email automation series I had set up wasn’t turned on, so when people opted in for a free gift, the wrong gift was delivered to about 70 people. Whoops!

🤦‍♀️ I applied lipstick right before going Live, and when I smiled to say hello — LIVE — I realized I had lipstick smeared across my front teeth.

Making Mistakes Makes Me Smile

These days, what gets me smiling is the fact that I’m making mistakes more frequently because I’m willing to take messy action now.

I’m not waiting for things to be perfect anymore — because things usually aren’t ever perfect, and I’ve missed a lot of opportunities because of that.

So here’s 🥂  to messy action, done-is-better-than-perfect action…and the ability to say “oops” with laughter instead of “I’m so stupid” when I make a mistake.

Are you with me!?