The Gift of Getting It Wrong

We all make mistakes. It’s one of the few guarantees in life.
We say the wrong thing, misjudge a situation, take the long way when the shortcut was right there.

And yet, for something so universal, mistakes can feel heavy — like proof that we’re not as capable as we hoped.

But here’s the truth: mistakes don’t define who we are — they reveal who we’re becoming.
Every time we fall short, we’re handed an invitation to pause, reflect, and grow. It’s uncomfortable, sure, but it’s also where the real learning happens.

The Happy Accident That Changed the World

I once heard a story about a scientist named Alexander Fleming.
He was researching bacteria in the 1920s when he accidentally left one of his petri dishes uncovered. When he came back, he found that mold had grown on it — and the mold was killing the bacteria around it.

That “mistake” became penicillin, the first antibiotic, and went on to save millions of lives.

It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes the best things start with something going wrong.
A project that fails can spark a better idea.
A rejection can lead to the right opportunity.
Even a tough conversation can teach us empathy and honesty.

Lessons in Every Stumble

Mistakes don’t define us — they guide us.
They’re not proof that we’ve failed; they’re lessons waiting to be learned.

Every stumble shapes us into someone wiser, stronger, and more compassionate. When we stop fearing mistakes and start learning from them, we begin to see them for what they really are: opportunities to grow.

💡 This Week’s Challenge

Think back to a time you got something wrong — big or small.
Instead of replaying it, ask yourself:
👉 What did this teach me?
👉 What strength or insight came from that experience that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise?

Then give yourself credit for growing through it.
Because getting it wrong might just be how we start getting it right.