Welcome to the 21 Self-Improvement Tips 4 Kids series! This is article number 19. You can be up-to-date on everything regarding my Self-Improvement Series by subscribing to our blog (with an adult’s permission.)

Today we’re exploring why it’s important to learn from mistakes we make in our lives. When you make a mistake, what do you do? Beat yourself up, and relive the experience over and over again? Think about how ashamed or embarrassed you feel? Or… do you think about what you can change and learn from that experience?

Unfortunately, for a long time, I used to constantly beat myself up whenever I did something wrong. I would restrict myself from feeling happy or smiling or laughing until I felt I “deserved” it. I would also use tons of negative self-talk and think about myself in ways that shouldn’t even be spoken aloud or written down here.

Now, I am striving my best to see every mistake as an opportunity to become better and grow. Sometimes I have low points, and then I catch myself feeling self-pity and shame, but more and more I turn it around and tell myself that everything will be alright. I love what Tony Robbins says about mistakes being “accelerated learning opportunities” (that means mistakes help you learn even faster).

I love reading, and one of my favorite book series is “Anne of Green Gables,” about a red-haired orphan girl’s adventures through becoming a young lady. Of course, she makes many mistakes in spite of herself. This is one of my favorite quotes:

“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.”           – L.M. Montgomery

Like Annie sings, “tomorrow there’ll be sun,” and we have a chance to make tomorrow better. We need to feel truly sorry about our mistakes, and not do them again. Admit to yourself that you are not perfect and that you, like everyone else, can become better. .

My mom gave me a book when I was graduating to 3rd grade named “Reach for the Stars” by Serge Block, and this is one of my favorite parts: (By the way, thank you mom for this book. It had brought me encouragement and hope just by flipping through it.)

“Dust yourself off! Get back in the saddle! If you keep a cool head, and use some elbow grease… you can blaze your own trail and march to the beat of a different drummer.”

I am grateful for a mom who helps me see where I need to improve and get back on track when I need direction. Remember to always learn and make every single experience a learning opportunity!

What are some of the biggest life lessons you’ve learned from your mistakes? I am so excited to hear from you!

[elisha]