The video above inspired this week’s blog. While this is a child, I’m sure we all know people as stubborn as this little boy. Maybe you’re the stubborn one! 😉 The young boy’s mother is using a technique my mother was a fan of. As a Jamaican mother, she always said, “those who can’t hear must feel.” I often heard this after I did something that she advised against, and a few minutes later, I was crying or saying “ow”!
As humbling as it can sometimes be, there’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re wrong. Sure the person who advised you whatever it was may take the opportunity to gloat and say, “I told you so!” but you’ll have to let them have that one. There’s nothing wrong with making a mistake. Knowing you’ were wrong and staying committed to that wrongness is a problem.
People who have a problem admitting they are wrong often have difficulty apologizing as well. I’m sure there have been studies done on why that is. Maybe it has something to do with being a perfectionist and feeling like any mistakes define them as a person.
The reality is that no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all have done things that caused offence or harm to someone else. It happens. What matters is what we do when we realize that things didn’t go as planned. Do we continue banging our heads against the wall, or do we acknowledge what we’re doing isn’t working and look for another way?
There’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re wrong, even if it’s just to yourself! I was doing a writing assignment a few days ago and almost submitted it when I realized I had missed a piece that was requested. I quickly made the changes and made a mental note to pay more attention to the assignment before I get started next time. Is it even a mistake if you learn something from the experience? If anything, I think mistakes are sometimes a pop-quiz to keep you on your toes. Would you agree? 😉