Hey there. Mistakes happen every day. No matter how much you plan, how careful you are, or how experienced you get, mistakes are part of life. The key isn’t avoiding them—it’s learning how to handle them, move forward, and not let them hold you back.
For a long time, I struggled with mistakes. I would dwell on them, replaying the situation in my head and wondering what I could have done differently. But over time, I realized something... mistakes aren’t the problem—how you respond to them is.
You have to find a balance. You don’t want to be so afraid of making mistakes that you freeze and stop taking action. But you also don’t want to become sloppy and careless, assuming mistakes don’t matter. The sweet spot is acknowledging mistakes, learning from them, and making adjustments so you don’t repeat them unnecessarily.
This applies to everything—your personal life, your career, and your fitness journey.
In fitness and weight loss, mistakes are inevitable. You’re going to have days when you don’t meet your goals, eat something you didn’t plan for, or miss a workout. The worst thing you can do is spiral into guilt and frustration. Instead, look at the big picture. One mistake doesn’t erase progress. What matters is what you do next.
That’s why I encourage setting minimum expectations for yourself. If you usually work out for 45 minutes, set a baseline of 30 minutes. If you typically drink 120 ounces of water, aim for at least 80-100 ounces. By setting realistic minimums, you create a system where you’re still succeeding even on tough days.
This same approach works in other areas of life. In your personal life, mistakes often come from poor time management. Maybe you haven’t been making enough time for your relationships. Instead of feeling guilty, schedule quality time. Block it off in your calendar, just like you would a work meeting. Give yourself space to be present and enjoy it.
In your career, mistakes are unavoidable. If you work in a team environment, things will slip through the cracks sometimes. When that happens, own it, fix it, and move on. If you’re running a side hustle or business, mistakes will happen even more often. But here’s the thing—if you’re constantly afraid of making mistakes, you’ll never put yourself out there. The more you take action, the better you’ll get at handling setbacks and adapting to challenges.
So here’s the takeaway—expect mistakes, learn from them, and don’t let them stop you. No one is perfect. You don’t need to be perfect to make progress. Just keep moving forward.
I’d love to hear how you handle mistakes and what has helped you improve your mindset. Send me a message and let’s talk about it. And if you’re looking for a supportive community that helps you grow through challenges, join The YLF Experience. Let’s build a mindset that moves us forward, no matter what!