Mistake is “to be in error.” How often does one go around deliberately making a mistake? Aren’t most of them caused by selfishness, being absentminded or simply not focusing on the situation? Let’s examine ten common mistakes most everybody makes.

The first and most frequent mistake is omission. An example could be that there’s a party being planned and before sending out the invitations, the planner neglects to carefully review the invitation list. A key person or two gets left out, not intentionally, but nonetheless, no invitation is received.

Secondly, comments made about another human being can be extremely hurtful. Joking about a person’s looks, voice, mannerism, comments or any number of other specifics can be tasteless, even when the listener knows the speaker isn’t being serious. Once a comment has been made, it cannot be taken back. The damage to the victim as well as to the speaker, him or herself, has already been done.

Thirdly, making assumptions are very dangerous. You know the old adage that to assume is to “make an ass of you and me.” How true it is. No matter how well you know somebody, there is no way humanly possible to know exactly how that person will act or react. The only sure way is to ask or to have something clarified. 

Fourth, don’t accept hurt. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, “Nobody can hurt me without my permission.” Emotional pain is truly self-inflicted. Refusing to recognize a comment, insult or action as being hurtful, prevents your suffering from it. It is only through realizing and accepting it that the hurt is taken on. 

Fifth, lacking self-confidence is dangerous. Mean and angry individuals prey on weak individuals or those lacking confidence. Believe in yourself. Stand up straight and speak with clarity. In so doing, even if you don’t feel confident within yourself, your presentation will indicate otherwise. 

Sixth, don’t give up. So often in marriage separations or friendship breakups, one “throws in the towel.” Why? It’s easier than dealing with details. If you worked hard for what you have, why would you want to throw it away? Certainly, to be fair is honourable. Work toward an amicable outcome.

Seventh, recognize who owns a problem. Too often individuals get themselves in the middle of a situation in which they have no right being there. While you may feel sorry for another person, it is important to ask yourself the question, “Whose problem is it?” If there is absolutely nothing involving you, and your involvement would not be welcomed, then walk away from it. If, however, for example, a family is without an income and you have food to share, by all means share it. On the other hand, if a person spends their money on alcohol and drugs, why give them money to maintain their addiction? 

Eighth, let others know you care. Life keeps people so busy that a neighbour, relative, church acquaintance or the like may have cancer, may have had a family death or may be going through a divorce or job loss. The least you could do is to send a card or make a telephone call, prepare a meal or offer a ride. These are things that indicate your care, just as you would hope they would do for you if the table was turned.

Ninth, telling a lie is more disastrous that one can imagine. Once an out and out lie has been told, first of all you get labelled as a “liar.” People won’t tend to believe you in the future. Be extremely cautious to have all of your facts accurate.

Tenth, stealing is taking that which is not yours. Whether it be a hotel towel, a friend’s scarf, or an item off the store shelf, taking that to which you do not have rightful ownership is stealing. Adults are cognizant of when they are stealing. Whether admitted or not, the self-consciousness remembers. Why let it fester in yourself? Return the item or remit payment for it. Resolve not to take that which you did not purchase or receive as a gift. You will feel better for it.

Certainly the list could go on and it could become quite lengthy. What it all boils down to is thinking about your thoughts, words and actions before you do anything. It’s much easier to be cautious than to try to clean up errors and wrongdoings once they have occurred.