Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Admitting one’s mistake

As we work towards our goals, whatever they may be, we are apt to commit mistakes. Not all our actions may be perfect. We may fail many times due to the mistakes we commit.”Making mistakes, getting it almost right and experimenting to see what happens are all part of the process of eventually getting it right.” But the most difficult and perhaps disliked part in life in general is to admit one’s mistake. Most people defend their mistakes even when they know they are wrong. We do not yield easily, we fight, justify, we point out the extenuating circumstances to vindicate ourselves. We are reluctant to express our regret or to tender an apology by confessing to the mistake. It is this undesirable trait in us that is at the root of all misunderstandings and human strife.
We little realize that by owning responsibility and admitting the mistake the esteem for us actually goes up. People respect the noble streak in our character and our courage to accept our failure. There is no man who has not faltered or fallen down in his path of progress. But the wise get up, do not look back for too long and learn quickly the lesson taught. There is no sense of guilt when they own up their wrongs. As Sophia Loren put it, “It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life. ” Sadhu Vishwamurtidas says “Asked what she thought was most needed in the coming century, the celebrated historian Barbara Tuchman, a Pulitzer prize winner, said “Personal responsibility….taking responsibility for your behavior and not forever supposing that society must forgive you because it’s not your fault.” The mistake may not be totally one’s own. But usually, in some subtle way—either through action, reaction or even inaction—we play our role poorly.”

9 comments:

  1. Thank you, Parthasarathi, for this excellent article. If a person admits his mistake and regrets the wrong done by him, it only shows his strenght of character. However, I disagree to an extent with what Sophia Loren has said; there are some situations in life where we should play safe and not take uncalculated risks. Best wishes.

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  2. Thanks.I think what Sophia Loren meant was that for fear of failure one should not remain inactive without trying.
    have a nice day

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  3. A lesson 4 life:) Thanks for the nice post!
    All the best!

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  4. A lesson 4 life:) Thanks for the nice post!
    All the best!

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  5. It is probably the ego in us that hinders us from accepting/owning the mistakes we commit.

    And yet sometimes it is the inferiority complex....what would the others feel/tell if I accept my mistakes....the feeling of being taunted for mistakes stop us from accepting the same.

    But still the heart feels so relieved and relaxed when we accept our mistakes and take it upon us not to commit the same in future.

    Nice one Mr.Parthasarathi, thanks....

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  6. You are absolutely correct.It takes courage to own up mistakes but we are not poorer for it.We will be respected.Thanks for the nice comments.

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  7. Nice thoughts and a fact too. It is good to accept one's mistake else, our conscious will prick us.

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  8. Mistakes are the stepping stones of success... if someone doesn't admit having used his stepping stones, his authenticity may be in doubt and he may be exposed... admitting ones own mistakes must purify heart from a burden of falsity... A great read Sir. Thank you.

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