We learn from our mistakes

We have been teaching my Grandson to be willing to make mistakes, and reinforcing the lessons he has learned through various failures and successes. This is how we all learn.

Of course, a four year old is full of wisdom that we adults fail to see. I was trying to explain something about my day when I had made a poor decision, and he turned to me and said ‘It's ok Grandad, we learn from our mistakes'.

I laughed at his kind words! Even if he didn't truly understand their impact, they made me stop and think how easily we adults fall into the trap of negativity. We focus on the ‘mistakes' we made, whether that be poor food choices, not exercising, or delaying bedtime, and ask ourselves the next day ‘why did I do that'?

We must realize that this is how we learn and change. Don't be harsh on yourself; try to understand the circumstances (internal or external) that lead to the ‘bad decision' or ‘mistake'. Learn from it. Possibly you were over tired, or had a stressful day at the office, or are simply down from the long winter and finding yourself with no motivation.

These are common scenarios and they will continue to occur throughout your lifetime; thus it's important to recognize them, embrace them, but learn not to reach for food to soothe your feelings.

What I am trying to emphasize again, is that there will be times we ‘make a mistake' about a food choice, or not getting enough sleep or not exercising. This is where we learn. Don't dwell on the mistake, but learn what precipitated you to eat in a certain way, and develop techniques to not respond with food the next time an event occurs in your life.

It may be as simple as the snacking we do in the evening. We know it is sabotaging our efforts, yet we continue to do this over and over again. If this is your ‘mistake' then be determined to stop. Recognize this habit and drink tea instead or munch on celery sticks.

As my Grandson said to me, ‘we learn from making mistakes'; so, listen to him and don't dwell or lament that you have ‘blown it'. Learn how not to repeat the same behaviour the next time.

You can do it. Keep trying. Don't give up.

Dr. B