Mistakes that Lead to Learning
The July 2, 2010 USA Today headline read, “After seeking help, Cabrera sees his life swing in positive direction” and below the story was told of how Major League Baseball player Miguel Cabrera life had changed. Nine months earlier, Cabrera had been jailed after a night of heavy drinking and when he was released sought help for his addiction. In the article he says, “I learned so much from my mistakes.”
As I read this article, I realized that his comments were true in my life as well. I did not have a drinking problem but I learned the same way Miguel did…through my own mistakes, I learned the best. The failures, the struggles, the crashes taught me what NOT to do.
I was at least 40 years old before I discovered that I did not have to touch the hot stove to know that it would burn me. In my 20’s and deep into my 30’s, wise counselors would tell me to avoid something or to not do something and I would listen but often think, “That doesn’t apply to me or “That consequence won’t happen to me.” And before I knew it I had burned the fire out of my hand!! These “burns” were manifested in relational failures, financial struggles and emotional crashes.
But these mistakes got my attention and caused me to change my ways. They also caused me to not just seek the counsel of others but to actually heed it. To apply what I was taught to change my life and avoid pitfalls. Don’t get me wrong, I still make LOTS of mistakes but the consequences are not nearly as grave. I have learned to quickly adjust when I feel the heat – heat that comes mostly through consequences and the Word of God.
What about you? Do you have the same learning style as Miguel and I? What are some of the lessons you have learned through your mistakes?
However, TMPW forced me to get in that settled place and make a list of dreams. What is so amazing about making a list is that things on the list just start to happen. I believe there are two reasons for this…the power of the mind and the awesomeness of God. When we write things down, our mind begins working on it – even if it is subconscious. I also believe that when God sees us write it down He believes us and begins making things happen to accomplish it. He wants to give us the desires of our heart when we are fixed on Him.
as Strengths Finder 2.0. It was so impactful that I gave about 30 of these books away as Christmas gifts in 2009. My top strengths were Achiever, Activator, Strategic, Communication and Discipline. They all fit me to a tee and others agreed. It was so influential because it gave me clarity on the skills that the Lord had created in me. I was better able to understand myself and why I make a to-do list on vacation and why I can be impatient at inactivity. I cannot use these as excuses to ignore the Spirit of God in me or the Biblical commands He has given us, but they have helped me know exactly what my role is in His Kingdom.
has significantly impacted my life. Today I want to share another teaching that I think about on almost a daily basis, The process of change. Here are the four steps:
I am thrilled because TMPW changed my life and when something that powerful impacts me I not only want to tell others but come alongside and help them experience the impact of living an intentional life. Which leads right into the very first example of how it changed my life….
If you read my earlier 
I had just sent off my 2009 tax return along with payment to the IRS – so grateful that it was MUCH less than I had anticipated – when I clicked over to 
