I won't be telling you everything that is in Pam Slim's book, Escape from Cubicle Nation. You should get the book yourself if you're even considering going out on your own. But I want to mention a little section in the book that is always relevant -- even if you stay in that cubicle -- and, what with the President's recent gaffe surrounding an arrest in Cambridge, it's especially topical right now.
Slim points out some possible reasons for making mistakes. Why is it important to consider the reasons? Because if you don't understand what caused your goof, you're likely to make a similar mistake again. Her reasons:
- Didn't listen to your intuition
- Had too many things happening at once and lost control
- Didn't have the right partners
- Avoided an uncomfortable area
I can say with certainty that I've done all of those at least once. Sometimes it is easy to let go of the mistake, but when the stakes are high, it can be tough. Slim recommends that you take a little time to ask yourself:
- What can I do next time to avoid this unfortunate result?
- How does this lesson position me for great success in the future?
- What is this situation trying to tell me?