What I’ve Learned from My Mistakes

I’ve always believed that mistakes are like those uninvited guests in life—they’re annoying, inconvenient, and at times, even painful. But if you pay attention, they often leave behind valuable lessons. Over the years, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes—some silly, some serious, and a few that still sting. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: mistakes aren’t failures; they’re life’s way of teaching us the hard stuff.

Let me take you through some reflections that have shaped me.

1. Not Every Battle is Worth Fighting

When I was younger, I had this terrible habit of reacting to everything. A snide comment, a disagreement at work, or even a family argument—I’d dive in, armed with logic and emotions, ready to win the battle. But here’s the kicker: not every battle is worth fighting.

I learned this lesson the hard way after a heated argument with a close friend. I was so focused on proving I was right that I ended up losing the friendship. What I’ve realized is that sometimes, walking away isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom. You don’t always need to win. You just need to preserve what truly matters.

2. The Cost of Impatience

Patience is a virtue—everyone knows this, right? But for the longest time, I thought speed was better. I’d rush into decisions—whether it was choosing my engineering stream (EEE, which I later regretted) or trying to fix things before understanding the root cause.

One particular incident stands out. I once jumped at a job offer without thoroughly researching the company. The paycheck was good, and I thought, “What could go wrong?” Turns out, a lot could. It was a toxic environment that drained me mentally and emotionally. That mistake taught me to pause, evaluate, and trust the process instead of rushing to grab the first shiny thing that comes along.

3. Taking People for Granted Hurts—Both Ways

This one’s personal. There were times when I got so busy chasing goals that I forgot to cherish the people around me. My dad’s health scare a few years ago was the wake-up call I didn’t see coming. Until then, I was the classic "stubborn kid," wrapped up in my world, thinking I had all the time in the world to make things right.

Watching him fight through his health problems shifted my priorities overnight. I learned to value family, friends, and those quiet, everyday moments we often overlook. Today, I try—keyword: try—to never let work or ego take precedence over people.

4. Mistakes Are Messy, But They’re Also Necessary

I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist. So when I messed up, I’d beat myself up over it for days. But here’s the funny thing: the more I messed up, the more I grew. It’s like building muscles at the gym—you don’t get stronger without a bit of discomfort.

I remember when I first started working on leadership roles. I wanted to be the guy with all the answers, but in my eagerness, I’d sometimes micromanage or make decisions without involving my team. I saw the cracks forming—low morale, miscommunication, and projects that didn’t meet expectations. It was humbling, to say the least. But those experiences taught me the value of trust, collaboration, and listening more than talking.

5. It’s Okay to Ask for Help

For the longest time, I thought asking for help was a weakness. If I didn’t know something, I’d figure it out—alone. But this mindset often left me feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

One day, during my MBA project (which, honestly, was giving me sleepless nights), Rajashree stepped in and offered to help. At first, I resisted, thinking I had to do it all myself. But when I finally let her in, not only did the project turn out better, but we also became closer as a team. That moment taught me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s strength in disguise.

6. Forgiveness is Freedom

Holding grudges was my superpower once upon a time. If someone wronged me, I’d hold onto it like a badge of honor. But here’s the thing about grudges—they weigh you down more than the other person.

One turning point was when I forgave someone who’d deeply hurt me. It wasn’t easy, but it was liberating. I realized forgiveness isn’t about excusing the behavior; it’s about freeing yourself from the hold it has on you. Life’s too short to carry unnecessary baggage.

7. The Biggest Mistake is Not Trying

Lastly, if there’s one mistake I’ve made and corrected over the years, it’s this: not trying because of fear. I’ve missed opportunities because I was too scared to fail, too scared to be judged, or too scared to step out of my comfort zone. But every time I’ve taken that leap—whether it was writing my first blog, starting a new job, or becoming a father—it’s been worth it.

Sure, I’ve stumbled, but the joy of trying outweighs the fear of failing. Always.

Wrapping Up

Mistakes are messy, uncomfortable, and, frankly, not fun when you’re in the middle of them. But looking back, they’re some of the best teachers I’ve had. They’ve taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of self-awareness.

If you’ve made a mistake recently and you’re still beating yourself up about it, let me tell you this—give yourself grace. Learn the lesson, make amends if needed, and move on. Because life isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress.

And trust me, there’s beauty in the mess.