Learn Better:
When was the last time you messed up? As absurd as it may sound, research suggests that making mistakes is beneficial. However, when we say mistakes, we do not mean breaking the law! What we mean by mistakes are decisions and actions we make in our daily lives that may not have been the best choice.
“Mistakes improve your learning.” It is widely held that learning can only be mastered if we make fewer mistakes.
Contrary to popular belief, making a mistake while learning improves a person’s memory for the correct information. Even if a person makes an error while testing themselves, as long as their error is close to the correct answer, they are more likely to remember it.
Despite appearances, making mistakes always has advantages. However, this is only true if you follow these steps after an error:
Acknowledge mistakes:
The first step toward progress is admitting when you’ve made a mistake. Don’t try to hide it, deny it, or ignore it. This will only aggravate the situation, increase your stress, and, in some cases, harm your reputation. If you have to apologise to someone, do so.
Consider the biggest blunder you’ve ever made. Is anyone else aware of it? Did it teach you anything? Acts of courage include honesty and ownership. People will remember your bravery and grace rather than your mistakes or clumsiness.
Reframe and analyze the mistake:
The second step in the learning process is to shift your perspective. Stepping back from the situation will allow you to see the bigger picture and increase your resilience. This is critical for both personal and professional development.
Consider the following: What was I attempting to accomplish? What happened? When did everything go wrong? Why did things go wrong? Any life lessons and advice on how to avoid making the same mistake can be found in the answers.
Feedback, but gentle ones:
If a problem with understanding is discovered late in the learning process and a significant amount of time has passed before the student realises they must re-learn the topic, the incorrect thought processes may become firmly entrenched in the student’s mind. The learning process usually goes as follows: practise activities, make mistakes, get feedback, think about the feedback, and try again. The less interrupted this process is, the more efficient and effective the learning.
Independent mistake correction:
Allowing students to find and correct their own mistakes as soon as they occur has a positive impact on their motivation to learn. Simultaneously, learning to look for root causes and sources of errors improves conceptual understanding.
In mathematics, for example, students frequently learn problem-solving methods by rote rather than understanding the concept. When students look for the source of their errors on their own, they discover the cause and improve their understanding on their own.
Self-Discipline:
It only takes one weak moment to give in to something you shouldn’t. Making a list of all the reasons why you should stay on track may help you stay disciplined even during the most difficult times.
After you’ve gotten over the disappointment of making a mistake in the first place, the next step is to figure out why you made it in the first place. That is the learning experience. Reflection on choices, successes, and failures is critical for a growing child’s ability to make decisions that will lead to a bright future both personally and professionally.
Some of the world’s most prominent figures encountered enormous stumbling blocks on their path to fame and glory but used these to refine their strategies and devise a plan that would eventually see them arrive safely at their desired destination.
Planning is important:
Beating yourself up for your mistakes will not help you in the long run. It’s critical to devote the majority of your time to plan for the future.
Make a plan to avoid making the same mistake again. Be as specific as possible, but keep in mind that your plan may need to change. Find a way to hold yourself accountable, whether you find an accountability partner or track your progress on a calendar. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another.
When you get scolded, Take it easy!
When it comes to learning something new, remember that mistakes are the first steps in the right direction. Many of our future actions and interactions with society are influenced by these flaws. Let me explain. Why is it that a small child is never too careful to make mistakes? The answer is straightforward. Because they are innocent, they do not care what others think.
That is why children have very steep learning curves in almost everything they do. Adults aren’t even close. You see, you have an advantage over adults!
As students, you should be curious and excited about learning and experiencing new things, which allows you to disregard what others think. It is true that as we grow older, the child in us dies, and with it, our curiosity.
However, this is not always the case. You can make your own decisions! We must convince ourselves that, regardless of what others think, we must continue to try and accept our failures gracefully.
Why do we make mistakes?
We, humans, are prone to making mistakes. After all, it is what makes us human. Nothing backs up this claim more than an adage.
Alexander Pope said, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” When it comes to human errors, this is probably one of the most overused proverbs.
If you ask any successful entrepreneur, scientist, politician, or athlete about mistakes, they will all tell you that they are unavoidable and that they play a critical role in achieving success later in their careers.
We learn a lot more from our own mistakes than from the mistakes of others. We rarely fully comprehend other people’s lives and experiences, no matter how much we learn about them. This is because we are hardwired to learn from our past, our actions, and, most importantly, our mistakes rather than from other sources.
Because our decisions or actions are both practical and emotional, they tend to stick with us. When we are faced with a similar situation, our memories of these events can help us make the right decision.
Imagine sitting in a dark room with candles if Thomas Edison was afraid of making mistakes!
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