Raise your hand if you've ever wanted to prove yourself so badly that you ended up doing something out-of-character that led to failing (in spectacular fashion).
It was July 3rd, and instead of heading out to dinner with my family, I was on the phone with an irate client (who had always been one of my biggest supporters).
What had happened? I went to visit my mom in the Blue Ridge Mountains while working on a BIG closing without reaching out to another partner for help (which was something I never did).
I wanted to prove to myself (and everyone else) that I was truly back post-cancer and could be superwoman. I almost got away with it, too.
Until - the day before the deal was scheduled to close - something unexpected came up (that almost blew up the deal) and the internet service in my Mom's area went out.
I scrambled to revise documents over the phone with an associate who didn't have much experience. And never recovered in the eyes of this client.
For weeks, my inner voice wouldn't stop reminding me of how stupid I'd been and how royally I'd messed up. But then I realized the toll it was taking on me, my relationships and my work. It was time to find a way to move on.
I know I'm not the only one to make a big mistake and worry that it's going to hurt you forever (and then obsess over it).
The trick is to know how to regain your confidence and composure so that you can move on (and even use what you've learned to your benefit as you move forward).
Because you're going to make mistakes, Friend. Some will even be big ones.
Instead of letting them pull you under, forgive yourself and move on. THAT's what succeeding in life is all about.
XO,
