Making Mistakes

The first time you realize you’ve made a mistake in our business or work-from-home job can be traumatizing. Maybe you over-promised on a deadline and now have to inform the client that the project will be late. Maybe it’s a craft that turned out not the way you wanted. Maybe you took on too many clients too quickly and realize that you won’t be sleeping for weeks to get the work done.


Admit your mistake. That might sound simplistic, but just saying the words aloud “I made a mistake” can be freeing. Now you can concentrate on fixing the problem.

Outline the steps needed to remedy the situation. For example, a few times, I’ve had to inform my editors that a story will be late, usually because a source or two did not get back to me in time. I send a short email requesting an extension until a specific date. Then I try my hardest to beat that deadline.

Do not shift the blame. Whether it’s entirely your fault, you should take full responsibility for the mistake. Succinctly tell the client that you’re sorry for the mistake and inform him of the steps taken to fix the problem.

Don’t wallow in the mistake. Once you’ve identified the mistake and moved to repair the problem, don’t spend a lot of time going over and over the mistake. Do figure out how the mistake happened. Were you over-committed? Were you careless or distracted? Take appropriate actions to ensure you will not make that mistake again.

Remember, we’re all human and mistakes happen. But making a mistake doesn’t have to derail our business unless we let it.

Until next time,

Sarah