Adulting: Owning Up to My Mistakes

I work full time as a paralegal for a busy personal injury law firm and this job comes with a great deal of responsibility and a need to be cautious and attentive to deadlines. In addition to looking out for deadlines, I need to make sure all the papers that will be served are properly organized and that the language contained therein is correct. A great deal of revision goes into my work and sometimes even with the revisions I can miss something. Not always in the document itself but in following specific legal procedures.

So with this said, there have been times I have missed a deadline, or forgot to file something which can be a bit of a problem but I have learned that instead of shying away from the problems and trying to find an excuse as to why, what ever it was, was not done, I admit I messed up and own up to my mistakes. Trust me it is not very easy and I think it takes quite a bit of humility but it is always worth it.

Why? Well you learn. I have learned so much during the times I have spent with others correcting a problem, even when I was the reason it came to be.

I enjoy solving puzzles and love finding the solution to things. In the case where I need to solve one of these complicated legal procedural puzzles at work, that is not fun, at all! In fact, these are probably the most stressful days at work for me. I always picture my life on the line and myself at risk on being let go. It really builds up my anxiety.

But, God has been very gracious to me. He has surrounded me with people who seem to favor me, for one reason or another, and are always willing to help.

Admitting I was wrong and taking charge of the situation, although stressful, has really grown me as an professional and as an adult. I definitely feel more competent, (it might sound weird to say I feel competent after endeavoring in a stressful adventure that I got myself in by making a mistake) but in the end the learning process in the challenge makes it all worth while.

I have never regretted admitting my wrongs because they have helped me grown and learn.

So if you are prone to make mistakes, hopefully not as many mistakes as me, feel encouraged. It is ok to admit you are wrong and when you admit it, you will learn something new. For me it some sort of legal procedure but the fact that I can admit I was wrong and I made a mistake I think makes me a stronger and more knowledgeable person overall. It has been one of the most important things I learned while “adulting”.

SDG – “Soli Deo Gloria”