“Resisting pain only increases its intensity.” — Chogyam Trungpa
I am 47 years old and I have made a lot of mistakes in my life — both professional and personal ones. I hope I make many more.
It’s true.
I have hired the wrong people on my management team. I have taken too long to fire people after I realized they were wrong for the company. I have lost deals. I have signed deals that nearly killed my company. I have promised things I shouldn’t have. I went left when my entire team said to go right. I have neglected my family in favor of work. I have screwed up my personal finances. I have misjudged entire markets. I have made poor investments with no discernible analysis — just going with my gut. And, I have hidden my emotions when I should’ve just let it all out.
These are just a few of the mistakes in my endless list. But, I am happy I made every single one.
Why?
Because every time I zigged when I should have zagged was a moment for growth. With every painful moment, I learned loads about myself. I learned to be a better me — a person with more humility, less bias, an open mind, and better at making decisions.
I now embrace the pain that comes with original mistakes because, after some…
