How To Not Let Your Mistakes Ruin You

Have you ever found yourself in the position of making a really bad mistake?

We all have, and such situations are unavoidable in life. The more important question I want to ask today is: How did you handle it?

In this week’s video I share a story of how I screwed up last week in front of *millions* of people.

(To see the full Today Show clip click here.)

Question Of The Day:

What mistake have you made so far in 2014? Tell me in the comments below!

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35 Replies to “How To Not Let Your Mistakes Ruin You”

  • hahaha, should’ve saw that coming! But the timing of this video is good. I’m gonna have to apologize to my friend as soon as possible now.

  • Hey Matt,
    The video was extremely funny and insightful!
    As for the mistakes I’ve made so far in 2014, well there hasn’t been any that I would perceive as a mistake, though it is only February.
    I will say my biggest mistake in 2013 and back has been being a doormat and excepting crumbs from the men I have dated oh and lets not forget the lack of personal boundaries I once had.

  • Hi Matthew,

    I just want to say that I love you and men like you who care about women! You are so cute, I love your personality, you’re funny and fun and you give such valuable and supportive information and with such uplifting energy. I come away with good information and feeling much better for having watched your videos because you always make me laugh too!

  • Hi Matt, thanks a lot for posting this video. I find it very useful and I love the three things that you mention when it comes to dealing with mistakes we make.
    Regarding the mistakes that I’ve made so far this year, quite a few, I gotta admit. As a teacher, sometimes I say something silly in class and I’ve learnt to try to laugh it off and forget it to focus on what I have to do.

  • Yes yes and YES!!! :) You said it! It’s all about how we deal and react to things. Isn’t that amazing? This means we are no longer depending on situations to feel worthy or good. We can live an awkward moment and laugh at it. I experienced this yesterday so many times. I was doing some promotions in a store and I had to hand out flyers and explain the product and after talking to probably 100 of people I would say “have a good evening” when it was afternoon, or ask twice the same person or the worst was this one: There was a group of guys that came in and I gave them my little speech and than 5 minutes later guys that looked very similar came in and I was sure they were the same so I wanted to make a joke by saying “Hey again you guys” and they looked at each other like “Again? what is she talking about?” There were not the same guys! Haha but like you said, some time ago I would have felt so stupid but this time I couldn’t stop laughing and thought I was hilarious :) The amazing thing that comes with this new way of living is that you are more stable in any situations and can count on your ability to make it okey to screw up!! :) :) :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic Mat and showing that we all have those moments ;)

    Hugs&love

  • This is much easier said than done, Hussey- especially in times of conflict. But it’s good way to start. Keep up the good work! And keep cutting that rose garden with stationary scissors! :-D

  • lol – That’s true, I like that one… check!

    I like that fact that you took it with humor, tried a second time and laughed it off. The Ladies supported genuinely and brought an ease to the situation. This was fun the watch!

    Haven’t watched “The West Wing” but I would say I’m a “what’s next”-person. I totally have the bouncebackability. It’s important not to take oneself too seriously.

    Loved it!

    1. Just watched the full Today Show clip.

      It’s hilarious!

      Still laughing…

      The only couple interviewed in that clip were really cute! All the guys were trying to man up lol. I liked the guy who genuinely said he’s not a valentine’s day type of guy and asking why there is a special day to show how much you love your partner. It really shouldn’t rely on that one particular day.

      Thanks for sharing! :)

      apropos: We devolpe further from mistakes and failers. That’s what makes us human.

  • “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

    Such an inspirational and insightful concept.
    ‘Get in the game’, be prepared to make mistakes, they are inevitable but its what you learn and do following the experience that counts. Sometimes failure and mistakes can be a blessing in disguise as they can make us richer for it.

    Matt, on another note, this relationship material is fantastic, however, unless a woman loves herself and is content in her own life before meeting a man, this attraction formula can only go so far – Thoughts? Do you think a woman should work on building up her life before she becomes preoccupied to find a partner or do you think she should find the partner and then work on herself…

  • Matt, this video is such a gift for me today! I got emotional in a parent-school meeting this week, in front of a team of 6 educators, including the principal, and it was extremely embarrassing to me. The next day I wanted to cower at home but made myself go to the Principal’s Coffee Hour, to be seen and touch base with the principal in another setting. I wanted him to see that I can be articulate and calm, and a team player, and I was able to achieve that goal through my engagement at the Coffee Hour Lecture, and by approaching him afterward to thank him for his support at the meeting the day prior. I still have a joint meeting with him and the teacher with whom I have the greatest conflict this coming week. Your encouragement to keep trying, keep engaging, and strive to add an additional layer to their experience of me is spot on. I am not comfortable being in an adversarial position with the teacher, and I need to find a way to build a bridge of communication with her despite my anger at her for her treatment of my child. Thank you so much for your perspective – it helps me normalize the fact that I screwed up. Hiding in the past has just kept me miserable and isolated. Today, I want to look at my averages instead of just my mistakes, so I can accept that I am, indeed, enough.

  • Aww, Matthew, it was good to see the full Today Show video. One thing I like about you is that you have humility. I hope you never lose that as you get older and enjoy more success. It’s the one thing that guys seem to lose when they are older and they don’t realize how important it is.

    I haven’t made any memorable mistakes yet in 2014, but I made some in 2013. But I moved on from them as you say.

    Gosh, I’m like Hoda. Distracted. I want to know the other two things that one can do to enjoy one’s single love life again!

    —Prefers to be called ‘A’.

  • I loved this video because too often I think we’re made to feel shame for the mistakes that we make. You’re so right! It’s about the way you handle those mistakes. I made more than a few mortifying mistakes in graduate school last semester when I had to present or even when I spoke to my esteemed professors but I had to just brush it off and get over them quickly and not draw negative attention to them.

    Such a great message! Thank you Matthew!

    M.

  • So needed! to hear this! I’ve been overreacting to “mistakes” made at work and it’s been drawing undesirable attention. Thanks, Matthew!

    This reminds me that I’ve been wanting to tell you from the beginning, I’m not sure how I stumbled onto your site, but it had nothing to do with trying to get or keep a guy and I recognize that the advice you give is simply good advice for being a better and more gracious person. That’s why I keep coming back! Thank you

  • Hi Matthew! This Video is amazing and it’s wonderful how you find the topics and ideas which helps me in my daily life! I watch every video from you and it inspires me to live a better life! Hope you read this cause you are really amazing! Keep it up! Your follower saadia from Germany :)

  • Thanks Matthew for showing us that you’re human. I agree, we’re all too hard on ourselves when we make mistakes….we’re human and we have to just move on!

  • This video couldn’t have shown up in my inbox at a more perfect time.

    I’ve been worrying so much lately about mistakes I make at work to the point where I just want to stay in bed the day after and just ruminate all day about it.

    Watching this has brought me some encouragement for sure.

  • I can’t believe you didn’t just make something up. I’ve been told I’m really good at interviewing and to be honest most of it is made up but it’s believable. Now that I just told everyone my secret :)
    Mistakes are what make us human and are here to help us learn and grow. The sooner you learn to laugh at your mistakes the funner life is going to be.
    P.S. I don’t lie in interviews I just make up situations and they believe me :)

  • Fab Matthew, I have your book and bought a copy for two of my friends :)
    I dreaded making a fool of myself publiclly for year, crazy what we worry about eh? I guess as I’m older(in my 40s) and wiser it doesn’t bother me so much now and I laugh it off if I happen to embarass myself unwittingly.
    You’re such a down to earth guy and I could listen to you for hours, please don’t ever change!
    I messages my friends on valentines day and wished them a happy one. Especially the single ones… “It’s better to be single and happy than be with someone and completely miserable” I told them, plus you get the tv remote to yourself …lol…
    I’m a settled singleton with standards, still on the look out for a lovely guy but in no rush.
    Still talk to everyone I meet per your advice, amazing how you see people’s faces light up because someone has taken time to listen to them even if only for a few minutes. Makes my day.
    Keep up the good work mr x

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