Being wrong is such a humbling, yet embarrassing, yet "dang it, how'd
they know" kind of feeling. Some people like to put the spin on it like
"it teaches me, I never get offended." Which I think is awesome! I'm
trying to build that kind of mentality. It's pretty difficult. Really,
I'm still trying to get out of the phase of "no, well, it's not my
fault" or "woulda been great if you told me sooner" kind of route.
Trying to start owning up to when I am wrong or make a mistake. Not so
easy. But, hey, I have an excuse. I'm young, right? Wait. I'm graduating
in two years. Like graduating college. My 20s will be practically half
over. Maybe it's high time I take this lesson.
In this society (and world) it's hard to be wrong. You've got television shows telling you when you're wrong. You've got test in school telling you you're wrong. You've got "wrong" decisions. You've got "wrong way." You've got all of these things stacking against you telling you you're wrong. It's pretty tough.
My professors at school are amazing. They're a lot more like life coaches as opposed to professors-who-grade-my-work. They are all about not getting the right answer because, in the theater, there are no right answers. I never really worried too much about it. As about anyone will tell you (specifically my K-12 teachers), I wasn't much for always getting the right answer. I'd try my best, but if I was wrong, I was wrong. I'd get a mediocre grade and be good with it (of course, that could have been me not studying and stuff... Anywho!). So, when my professors started telling me not to worry about getting the answer right, I was like "score!" However, very recently, I discovered that it wasn't getting the right answer I was afraid of. In fact, I was just afraid to get it wrong.
As you can imagine, my theater major leads to a lot of classes in which we perform for one another. I am always close-to-the-last one up. Afraid I'd get it wrong. When I do and my professors explain how I could make it better, I say "okay," take the note, say to myself "duh! How could you be so stupid!" and then watch my other classmates make the exact same mistake. Because we're all learning on this journey together and it's awesome.
Then, earlier this week (at home. Spring Break 2014! Woo!) I had the car washed. Now, before I go on, know that my father is the most car-loving, car-obsessed car freak out there. His least favorite season is winter and I think it's actually because he has to go three months without clean, spotless cars. So, you can imagine with all the snow melting, there were a lot of mud puddles this week. Me, being a pretty decent car lover (lover of driving, mostly) myself, was sure to miss all potholes and huge puddles. Then there came that huge dip in the driveway I hit every time so I can get the car parked perfectly beside the sidewalk. Of course, mud is all over the passenger-side wheels. Another of course, that is the first thing he notices. "You know, next time, don't hit the puddle and there won't be those huge mud splats on the tires like that." "Dad! I can't be the perfect driver you are! I've been doing this 5 years, you've been doing it since dinosaurs ruled the Earth!"
I noticed right there "Self, he was just trying to explain, in his sarcasm-is-the-only-way-he-can-stay-calm/joking kind of way how you can avoid the tires getting dirty for next time." Also, I thought "Self, you never think of the tires, and now you can start now that you know you should." So, I immediately said "no, you're right, dad. I'll try and avoid it next time." Now, just to mess with him, I parked in the huge mud puddle in the front driveway this week. It'll be great. Anywho!
I read this article that listed multiple things all "twenty-somethings" should learn to do before they reach 30. One (that I noted) was to admit you were wrong. Ever since I read the article, it's plagued me. I've started noticing instances like that, that make me defensive and blame-y on other people as opposed to taking a note.
No doubt, I am not the only person on Earth having a difficult time with this concept of admitting. The disciples had TONS of time trying to figure out what they were doing wrong. In fact, a lot of the Bible points out "no, you do this," and people lashing out. Of course, I don't think The Bible is a rule book, really. But that's another post.
I think there are ways we can accept we were wrong. It's okay to be wrong. It's okay to not understand it at that point. It's okay to have a note given to us, or to have someone say "actually, let's try it this way instead." Chances are, the person giving you that note was given that note by someone else. It's kind of a cute little "passing on some wisdom."
I do agree with the list, we should admit we're wrong. It's useful. We take the note, try to apply it, try not making the mistake again. But, we know, that the mistake might slip up again, but now you know what it looks like. I think that's hugely important and useful and all information. It's hard. I still can't quite master it, but I think I can do it. Sooner or later. I think we all can. It'll be great! Woo!
In this society (and world) it's hard to be wrong. You've got television shows telling you when you're wrong. You've got test in school telling you you're wrong. You've got "wrong" decisions. You've got "wrong way." You've got all of these things stacking against you telling you you're wrong. It's pretty tough.
My professors at school are amazing. They're a lot more like life coaches as opposed to professors-who-grade-my-work. They are all about not getting the right answer because, in the theater, there are no right answers. I never really worried too much about it. As about anyone will tell you (specifically my K-12 teachers), I wasn't much for always getting the right answer. I'd try my best, but if I was wrong, I was wrong. I'd get a mediocre grade and be good with it (of course, that could have been me not studying and stuff... Anywho!). So, when my professors started telling me not to worry about getting the answer right, I was like "score!" However, very recently, I discovered that it wasn't getting the right answer I was afraid of. In fact, I was just afraid to get it wrong.
As you can imagine, my theater major leads to a lot of classes in which we perform for one another. I am always close-to-the-last one up. Afraid I'd get it wrong. When I do and my professors explain how I could make it better, I say "okay," take the note, say to myself "duh! How could you be so stupid!" and then watch my other classmates make the exact same mistake. Because we're all learning on this journey together and it's awesome.
Then, earlier this week (at home. Spring Break 2014! Woo!) I had the car washed. Now, before I go on, know that my father is the most car-loving, car-obsessed car freak out there. His least favorite season is winter and I think it's actually because he has to go three months without clean, spotless cars. So, you can imagine with all the snow melting, there were a lot of mud puddles this week. Me, being a pretty decent car lover (lover of driving, mostly) myself, was sure to miss all potholes and huge puddles. Then there came that huge dip in the driveway I hit every time so I can get the car parked perfectly beside the sidewalk. Of course, mud is all over the passenger-side wheels. Another of course, that is the first thing he notices. "You know, next time, don't hit the puddle and there won't be those huge mud splats on the tires like that." "Dad! I can't be the perfect driver you are! I've been doing this 5 years, you've been doing it since dinosaurs ruled the Earth!"
I noticed right there "Self, he was just trying to explain, in his sarcasm-is-the-only-way-he-can-stay-calm/joking kind of way how you can avoid the tires getting dirty for next time." Also, I thought "Self, you never think of the tires, and now you can start now that you know you should." So, I immediately said "no, you're right, dad. I'll try and avoid it next time." Now, just to mess with him, I parked in the huge mud puddle in the front driveway this week. It'll be great. Anywho!
I read this article that listed multiple things all "twenty-somethings" should learn to do before they reach 30. One (that I noted) was to admit you were wrong. Ever since I read the article, it's plagued me. I've started noticing instances like that, that make me defensive and blame-y on other people as opposed to taking a note.
No doubt, I am not the only person on Earth having a difficult time with this concept of admitting. The disciples had TONS of time trying to figure out what they were doing wrong. In fact, a lot of the Bible points out "no, you do this," and people lashing out. Of course, I don't think The Bible is a rule book, really. But that's another post.
I think there are ways we can accept we were wrong. It's okay to be wrong. It's okay to not understand it at that point. It's okay to have a note given to us, or to have someone say "actually, let's try it this way instead." Chances are, the person giving you that note was given that note by someone else. It's kind of a cute little "passing on some wisdom."
I do agree with the list, we should admit we're wrong. It's useful. We take the note, try to apply it, try not making the mistake again. But, we know, that the mistake might slip up again, but now you know what it looks like. I think that's hugely important and useful and all information. It's hard. I still can't quite master it, but I think I can do it. Sooner or later. I think we all can. It'll be great! Woo!
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