How to Learn From Being Wrong

Let’s start with a quote that will tie into the motivational theme of this article. Mark Twain once said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”

Upon my first read of the above quote I thought about how sometimes it is hard for people to admit they are wrong.  These are the people that just refuse to admit they are wrong, even when they are.  These people are the ones that have a preconceived notion of how something should be.  It is similar to the people who refuse to change or won’t accept an idea.  Their excuse is, “We’ve always done it that way.”

How many of these people do you know?

Which leads to a deeper meaning, or lesson, that comes from the quote.  It has to do with a trait or two that most successful people seem to have.  These traits are the willingness to admit they are sometimes wrong and their ability to know and understand what works – or doesn’t work.  Yet, they are still willing to learn and try new things – especially when they are wrong.  They seem to have the ability to weed out the good ideas from the bad.  And for some reason, the best ideas and opportunities come to them more often.  Or do they?  The answer is, “NO!”

Many times great ideas are there, but most people just don’t see them.  They are not thinking about them, looking for them or even ready to act on them if they were handed to them on a silver platter.  In short, they are not prepared or positioned to act on the ideas or learn from good examples.

Some people accuse successful people of being lucky.  It is not about luck or being in the right place at the right time.  Usually, it is about being prepared and anticipating where to be.  Also about having an open mind, and a willingness to accept a new idea.  It is about the opposite of what the above Mark Twain quote says.  Rather than be annoyed by a good example, successful people relish – even embrace it.

• Be willing to admit you are wrong.
• Be flexible and willing to try different ways of doing what you have always done.
• Be willing to take a risk.

These are the things that will mentally make you better prepared to learn from good examples and capitalize on the opportunities that come your way.

Wishing you continued success!

Shep Hyken is a customer service/CX expert, award-winning keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. Learn more about Shep’s customer service and customer experience keynote speeches and his customer service training workshops at www.Hyken.com. Connect with Shep on LinkedIn.

(Copyright ©MMXI, Shep Hyken)