How To Benefit From Every Mistake

Use these three steps

Mistakes.

They happen.

In all areas of life, including on the football field.

And yes, of course, we can learn from them.

But how? Is it automatic?

Not quite.

In my view there are three things that must happen first.

Admit it

To benefit from our mistakes, we must first admit that we messed up.

We must acknowledge that we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.

Whether it be a missed alignment, blown assignment, a failed play call, whatever.

Recognize the mistake. Identify it. Stare straight into it like a solar eclipse.

This is a crucial starting point.

Own it

This might seem like a repeat of the first step, but the two are worlds apart.

Pointing out the mistake is one thing, taking COMPLETE ownership of it is another.

It’s not:

“Yeah, I messed up, but….”

No qualifiers.

It wasn’t the wind, the refs, or the pre-game meal.

It was ME.

I did that.

Now you’re ready for step three.

Analyze it

Now it’s time to investigate the WHY.

Are we asking a player to do something they can’t do? Are there some issues with the design of the play? Was I wrong in my pre-game preparation when I assumed A, B, or C?

THIS is where the growth happens. From a calmer place. Once we’ve admitted the mistake and owned up to it.

If we’re constantly ignoring the issues, or passing the buck, we’ll end up going around in circles.

If we admit it, own it, and analyze it, we’ll develop the ability to mine gold from every misstep.