Mistakes Happen – Keep Moving

Caregivers – especially beginners — are sometimes fearful of making a mistake and that keeps us from taking needed action.

As a caregiver, we need to take a deep breath and ask questions.  Even when we are afraid to do so and especially when, we don’t want to hear the answer we suspect we may hear.  As a caregiver, we need to learn as much as possible about the disease, the treatment, medications and the expected progression or outcome.  It’s a lot!  And if it is a new diagnosis, it is generally too much to absorb while we are with the doctor.   We’ve provided links from trusted sources in the Resources Library so you can learn about the diseases and conditions your loved one may have on your own time.  This bit of time spent can clarify your understanding and, if necessary, help you formulate specific questions for the next doctor’s visit.   You will also find information on organizations, funding, and more in the Resources Library.

However, caregivers need to know, even if you equip yourself with knowledge and try to follow sound advice, you sometimes will choose the wrong thing.  Caregivers make honest mistakes.     Most mistakes can be overcome.

Perfection does not exist

Accept this truth regarding perfection: no one is perfect, and nothing is perfect. Every person on the planet will make mistakes. Perfection is an impossibility. Instead, do things to your best ability given the framework you have.  Set reasonable standards for yourself and be ready to extend grace to yourself and others involved in the care for your person.

Mistakes Help Us Learn

We can learn a lot from mistakes.   In fact, we often learn more from a mistake than  from success.   It emphasizes the importance of taking time and studying a situation using facts instead of assumptions.   Even when you become good at caregiving, you’ll never stop learning and growing.  And we can learn from the mistakes of others – we don’t have to make ALL the mistakes personally!

Mistakes Build Resilience

The biggest lesson you’ll learn from mistakes is how to dust yourself off and move forward when things don’t go right. That’s called resilience and it’s one of the best skills you can develop as a caregiver.  You need to pick yourself up, learn from the experience, and keep going.  Often the mistakes and their impact will help you fine-tune your routine, your expectations and influence future choices.

Mistakes Are Motivating

A mistake can be the catalyst that helps you make needed changes. .As someone once said, never let a good problem go to waste.  Regardless of the number of mistakes you make, learn from them and do better next time. Make a point to understand why you made the mistake so you do not repeat it.  Let mistakes – and your handling of them – make you a better caregiver.