How to move on after a work mistake

Ever heard the phrase, “Don’t cry over spilled milk?” Although this was told to us many times as children, we can also apply it today to our careers. No one is perfect and sometimes we do things in the workplace that we regret. The key is figuring out how to regroup and move past it. Here are a few tips for how to get back up after falling down on the job.

Evaluate what happened

Sometimes unexpected things can occur that we could not have foreseen. In other instances, we make specific choices that lead to particular work mistakes. Did you turn a project in late knowing deep down there’d be repercussions? When a mistake is made, think about how it can be avoided in the future and if you can adjust your behaviors to ensure a better outcome.

Decipher what is controllable

As stated above, some things are just out of your control. If a decision is made by a supervisor or colleague that has a negative effect on you, approach them later and ask if it’s possible to come together for better results. Understanding what you can take charge of will help you to better manage things down the road.

Own up to mistakes

If you admit your role in the misstep, you can better learn from what happened. Often times we naturally want to shift blame onto someone else. Before you point fingers, reflect on your work and how you can improve. The key to professional (and personal) growth is learning from hardships and making changes based on previous experiences.

Wendy Moody

Wendy Moody

Wendy Moody is a Senior Editor with CUInsight.com. Wendy works with the editorial team to help edit the content including current news, press releases, jobs and events. She keeps ... Web: www.cuinsight.com Details