Go Ahead, Make Your Next Mistake

It’s time to accept that mistakes are repeated.

Annoying, motivational-types often say, “You never make the same mistake twice.”

This is bogus. I repeat my mistakes relentlessly. I live in a constant state of denial.

We are coached to “pay attention to details” and “make good decisions.” Yet, we find ourselves staring down the barrel of a mistake-loaded gun more often than not. Why?

The Human Cycle of Repetition (HCOR), of course.

HCOR is an agonizing cycle of distress I made up, in which humans repeat their mistakes, due to neurological-brain-synapse-malfunction. This neurological-brain-synapse-malfunction causes us to overlook and forget. Making the mistake the first time was so excruciating that our long and short term memory kicks it to the curb. Then we lather, rinse and repeat.

This psychosomatic phenomenon explains both trivial and heavy truths. It explains why we can’t let go of the people who hurt us, or why we drive around on empty tanks. We never learn. Why?

Again, the Human Cycle of Repetition.

Here are some more examples of repeated mistakes:

• Dating the same dickhead again and again.
• Running long distances. Tortuously pounding every joint in our body for 2+ hours. Fun.
• Birth.
• Failing to write down important passwords in places you’ll actually find them.
• Overpromising and underdelivering.
• Drinking an exorbitant amount and performing obscenities at Karaoke on a Friday night, in front of people you actually have to see again.
• Wearing the same debilitating high heels, over and over.
• Overeating to the point of tremendous discomfort. You needed therapy after Thanksgiving this year.
• Not wearing sunscreen and getting burnt to a bloody crisp. Every summer.
• Making administrative oversights at work.
• Continually seeking approval from an unworthy source.
• Hanging out with mean-spirited people.
• Getting bangs again when they make you look like a small, homely child.
• Allowing someone else to psychologically bulldoze you.
• Cursing in front of youngsters, or classy folks.
• Locking yourself out of your house with no spare key hidden.
• Going to Costco on a Saturday in December.
• Flying in an airplane with small children and babies.
• Taste-testing things that have gone bad in the refrigerator.

Do we really learn anything from these errors? Temporarily, yes. Long term, no. Consequences are forgotten and we settle back into the same old program. But I’m here to give you a get-out-of-jail-free card, and let you know that it’s okay. Those mistakes make us dynamic and interesting, ultimately testing our character and making us lead a more vibrant life. So give your head a shake and do what all smart people do. Let go of your blunders, and hide behind a vague behavioral theory.