Mark here.
I still remember a game I played during my NFL days
that haunted me for months.
It wasn’t a playoff game,
but it felt just as significant.
I made a critical error that cost us yardage—
and while my teammates moved on, I couldn’t.
Every time I stepped on the field after that,
it lingered in my mind.
It made me hesitant.
Second-guessing myself.
And I realized something:
the mistake wasn’t holding me back—
my inability to let it go was.
Years later, as a mountaineer, I faced similar emotions
A misstep on a climb almost sent me back down the mountain.
But this time, I approached it differently.
I didn’t dwell. I adjusted, I learned, and I climbed forward.
Here’s the thing:
Letting go of past mistakes doesn’t mean forgetting them.
It means carrying the lesson, not the weight.
Let me show you how to do the same.
10 Steps to Let Go of Past Mistakes
1. Acknowledge the Mistake
Pretending it didn’t happen doesn’t help. Own it so you can move forward.
2. Separate the Mistake from Your Identity
One failure doesn’t define you. You are not your mistakes.
3. Find the Lesson
Ask yourself: What did this teach me? Every mistake has something to offer.
4. Apologize if Necessary
If your mistake hurts someone, a sincere apology can bring closure—for them and you.
5. Shift Your Focus Forward
Stop replaying what went wrong. Start thinking about what’s next.
6. Take Action to Prevent a Repeat
Identify one small change you can make to avoid the same mistake in the future.
7. Forgive Yourself
Talk to yourself like you would a friend. Would you hold their mistake against them forever?
8. Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Share your experience with those who will lift you, not tear you down.
9. Celebrate How Far You’ve Come
Look back at your growth since the mistake—you’ve made more progress than you think.
10. Keep Climbing
Mistakes are just bumps on the road. The summit is still ahead, and every step counts.
Think of one mistake you’ve been holding onto. What did it teach you?
Write it down and let that lesson replace the regret.
This reminds me of a quote I turn to often:
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston Churchill
Mistakes aren’t the end of the road—they’re a turn onto a new path.
The Next Step Toolkit
Here’s a resource that will help you take your next step:
‘Daring Greatly’ a book by Brené Brown.
It’s a powerful reminder that mistakes refine, not define us.
Mistakes are inevitable,
but they don’t have to define our journey.
Every misstep is an opportunity to grow, learn, and keep climbing.
The summit is still ahead,
Keep moving forward, one step at a time!
Best,
Mark
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