That didn’t work out as planned, but it’s okay. “I learned from the experience”. How often have you heard this from others or told yourself that story? You immediately dismiss your mistakes, accept your fate and write it off as a lesson learnt.
The problem is that the circumstances repeat within days, weeks or months. In theory, you’re learning a lot but have little wisdom to show.
That’s because you’re confused about the difference between learning and living. Living through an experience is significantly different from learning from an experience.
For many, running a business is a series of mistakes made repeatably. Most survive because they are good at their skill, not because they are good at learning, which leads to becoming a better leader or manager of their business.
Learning is so much more than racking up experiences.
Learning is when you can:· Explain what you did,· Recognise you did it well,· Consistently re-recreate it,· Continuously improve it.
Next time you want to say, ‘I learned from that,’ take some time to work through these four statements.
Can you honestly explain what you did? Or was it an unrepeatable fluke? Did you recognise that you or one of your team did it well? Did you write down the steps and note specific actions, or was it a blur that’s lost forever? How will you continuously improve it if you can’t re-create it when needed?
Anyone can, on their day, create someone wonderful.Few have the discipline and attention to learn, especially in the cauldron of business. Rarely is that enough to succeed.
Learning takes commitment and time. It’s one of those skills that we all crave but few truly master.
Listen carefully around your workplace today for someone complaining about something they did or someone else didn’t do. It won’t take too long for you to recognise what should be a learning experience.
Then silently watch to see what happens. Did anyone take responsibility for the mistake? Did anyone take the time to point out the error?
Was that blunder just a speed hump in another busy day? Every mistake costs something, whether it’s time, money, reputation, or all three.
I recommend you rethink your attitude to learning.
