The BIGGEST MISTAKE I made...
”Regrets, I’ve had a few… but then again, too few to mention…”
We can all look back at times and say “Why didn’t I do that?” “I should’ve just…” “If I…”
We often think about regrets in relation to making mistakes.
“I shouldn’t have farted in Yoga…so loudly” or “Why did I….”
The truth.
Those things become stories.
Mishaps, blunders, bloopers - all stories when you look back.
We underestimate stories.
Because if you have a story, it means you did something. You tried something.
“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done”
- Lucille Ball
We often prevent ourselves from even trying to do the thing in order to prevent future embarrassment or making a mistake. Basically, we try to protect our ego.
What’s my BIGGEST mistake?
For those of you who don’t know… I had a business, with two partners. We made “souvenirs that don’t suck” - Giftware.
Socks, mugs, pillows, "tchotchkes” and a shitload of other products with a Canadian theme.
The business is still active, but I’m not.
I sold my shares a few years back.
Owning a business is hard. Perpetual learning curves.
When you’re in it, you’re in it.
It’s hard to peek above the surface to see the view and where you’re going.
It’s hard to think clearly at times.
Another thing that comes with it.. is a nice dose of “self-doubt”.
Which direction? Where to focus?
There’s no WAZE. No GPS.
It’s easy to just listen to everyone around you or people with “more experience” and assume they have the magical answers that will solve all your problems.
...or partners that you’d rather not fight with and so you go with the flow believing everything will be cool in the long run.
Lose the battle, win the war.
BUT - If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few years…
“Nobody knows anything.”
- Sam Goldwyn
He was referring to films, but the truth is it applies to everything.
We’re all just figuring it out as we go.
So…
What was MY BIGGEST MISTAKE?
Not trusting my instincts.
Listening to others instead of listening to myself.
The writing was on the wall, I just couldn’t see it and should have acted sooner.
I’m not saying things would’ve worked out differently… because I believe (to a degree) things are meant to be…
BUT - I do regret not trusting myself enough.
That’s my biggest mistake.
Trust Yo’self.
Peace,
Jonny “Trustice” Goldmaker