Things To Consider Today

Avoiding Repeatable Errors

One thing that bothers me is making the same mistake over and over again. Like you, I’m human and thus subject to errors and mistakes. It’s easy to misjudge and make wrong decisions. I can live with a certain amount of this, but those repeatable errors really get to me. They show up in many aspects of my life, and if I’m not careful, they can occur on an almost daily basis. Depending on their magnitude and frequency, these errors can have a dampening effect on my life. They contribute to discouragement, and sap enthusiasm out of my days and weeks. Their collective effect over longer periods is to affect moods and happiness. Let me illustrate repeatable errors with some examples below.

More traffic intersections where I live have cameras mounted in order to catch drivers who go through red lights or make illegal turns. For example, it’s common to make a right-hand turn when traffic permits. But at some intersections, there is an actual right-hand turn light. That light can tell you when it is permissible to make a right-hand turn onto a road independent of whether there is traffic on it. Due to the long time habit of making free right-hand turns, I often catch myself making a right-hand turn at intersections where the traffic light for right-hand turns is not green. I still don’t know why I haven’t received a traffic ticket from one of those cameras. This doesn’t mean I should not pay more attention and be consistent in following the traffic signals. The right hand turn is a repeatable error that I need to work on to improve. You may have repeatable errors related to driving. For example you continually drive over the speed limit and periodically get speeding tickets. For you slowing down and obeying the speed limit may be just as difficult as me always watching the right hand turn signal and obeying it even though there is no traffic.

A common area of repeatable errors is communication. What we say and how we say it is immediately sensed by others. Our choice of words tell others a lot about us. Even body language affects how well others listen and whether they understand and accept what we’re saying. We should continually monitor our speech and be careful not to send the wrong message or an unintended message to others. I have to watch the serious expressions on my face and the direct way I normally communicate. For some people I don’t smile enough, even though I’m happy inside. I am not sensitive enough for them and their feelings . At times people have misjudged my intentions and message just due to facial expression and tone of voice. I have to watch what I say around certain types of people, or mistakes will be made in communication. How well do you communicate? Are there repeatable errors in your communication?

It’s easy to fall behind schedule in various routines and duties. When you do this, it is easier to forget things that you should do or you do things out of order. You can become impatient, frustrated, and end up not doing things as well as they should be done. The secret is to stay ahead of schedule. This allows time for things that come up unexpectedly. You avoid being in a hurry or late for appointments. You will not have extra financial charges on bills which you paid late. You will eat less on the run and be able to sit down and enjoy a good home-cooked meal. Do any of these things sound familiar to you? I strive to control my schedule, but in small ways I get behind at times. And if I’m not careful, things do not go as well as they should. I’m not as happy nor as effective. People who live with me notice that my disposition is to a degree affected by what is going on in my life at the time. They enjoy me more when I’m happier, and I’m happier when I’m on top of things and more in control of my life.

Habits are merely patterns that people develop. The way we talk, dress, eat, and act all demonstrate habits in our lives. I have lots of good habits, and a few bad ones that need to be improved or corrected or dropped. Until I am fully successful in doing this, bad habits represent repeatable errors that work against me and to a degree the people who interact with me on a daily basis. Habits are tough things to change and require real effort to modify them or to remove them from your life. Think about some of the habits in your own life which you would like to change or drop, and why it seems so difficult to do so.

During the week I do some stock trading. One of the great lessons I have learned from this activity is my vulnerability to repeatable errors. I notice a certain type of error and how it can cost me a loss of money. I then commit to not do it again. The problem is I actually do it again, but perhaps not quite as much. When I do it again and lose money as a result, I become perturbed with myself and ask why did I make the same mistake again. It takes work on my part to really follow through on a commitment and weed out repeatable errors in this area, even though such efforts bring financial rewards. Imagine the need for even greater commitment to weed out errors that offer no obvious financial reward or tangible benefits which you can you see today or in the immediate future.

One common human frailty is forgetting. For example, for some of us remembering the names of other people is a constant struggle. For myself I have to find a way to categorize people or associate them with some event or activity. Even then I don’t remember their names well unless I write them down and then have further contact with these individuals. You too may have problems remembering names of others. There is also the challenge of remembering everything you were supposed to do on a particular day. Unless you keep a list somehow, it’s easy to forget an errand or appointment or a duty that needs to be done. When you go shopping, it’s easy to forget an item because you didn’t take a complete list with you. This is especially true in the grocery store when you’re buying many items. So how do we stop forgetting and start remembering better everything from names, to things to do that day, to what we should buy at the grocery store. We’ve all experienced the frustration of forgetting. The way to improve may differ for each of us, but the need to improve is in my life and I presume in your life too.

I could go on and on about repeatable errors in our lives, but you’re familiar with so many of them already. The question is, what can we do about them? What is a good strategy to pursue? What each of us must do is identify specific repeatable errors in our own lives. Then figure out which ones are more serious, or costing us the most in terms of time or money or health. We should consider which ones we could work on at this time, and then make real progress in doing so. It is not wise to try to do too much at once, but simply select a few things that represent a reasonable challenge for yourself. As you work on these things and make progress, you will then be able to add other things. Over time, you’ll slowly but surely reduce the types and frequency of repeatable errors in your life.

Be positive and not negative. Don’t get down on yourself because of repeatable errors. Everyone has them to various degrees in their lives. Speaking for myself, I am an extremely competent individual who is well organized and has had good health and social support all my life. However, I still have repeatable errors. They do not always make me feel happy, and at times they’re frustrating and even costly. The difference between myself and some others is that I continue to work on them and make progress. This is the challenge I extend to you. No matter what your circumstances, utilize your knowledge and skills and commitment to reduce repeatable errors in your life. Things will go smoother. Your burdens in life will become lighter because you’ll have less concerns and more energy to focus on resolving real problems and dilemmas. You will be happier as a result.

YOUR OPINION - Let us know if you liked this article, and whether you agree or disagree with it? Provide your comments here .

Click here to return to the top.

Copyright  2008     Leland Pulley