Forget the Mistake, Remember the Lesson: A Story of Perspective

Being vulnerable on social media isn’t easy, but this is one story I have to share. My first job out of college was at Perot Systems in Dallas 🤠. I was a consultant, eager to get promoted within the first 12 months 🤨, taking everything way too seriously in the early days of my career.

🌅 One morning, I arrived early to get a head start on what I thought was an important project. I saw my co-worker in the parking lot, and we walked into the building together. As we made our way through the long lobby toward the elevators, we suddenly heard a loud bang near the entrance 💥. We turned around and saw a young man who had fallen hard while entering the building.

There were people closer to him, including security, but my co-worker Warren immediately ran over to help 🤕. At the same time, the elevator doors opened, and I, focused on my “important” tasks, stepped in and headed to the office.

An hour later, I went down to the lobby coffee shop. There was Warren, sitting with the same guy who had fallen, bonding over coffee, lifting his spirits and helping him laugh off his bruised ego 🤗.

I don’t even remember what was so important that morning, but for years, I regretted not helping that young man when I had the chance 😟. After I left Perot Systems, I ran into Warren, and we grabbed a beer. I confessed that I felt guilty for not helping that day. Warren looked at me and said something that has stuck with me ever since: "Forget the mistake, just remember the lesson." 🤯

That hit me hard. Mistakes are part of life. We are all imperfect, and while we may regret our missteps, we can’t let them weigh us down. The key is to learn from them and move forward.

So, the next time you make a mistake, remember: forget the mistake, but always remember the lesson. 🥰🥰🥰