Thank you ever so much for those that have written some (5 star) reviews for my book. Those that haven’t, please do. They mean so much!
Recently, my propensity for messing up knows no bounds. All day, every day. I know there’s a little bit of middle age in there, a bit of the busy brain. Trying to do too much, with too little bandwidth. Three jobs, a family, writing, side projects, exercise and daily routines. But still. These days, it’s like I’ve just been awarded my sixth black belt in messing up. With a Grade A distinction.
The Sainsbury’s order turns up with roasted duck instead of duck fat roasted chips. I get on the wrong tube, or get off on the wrong stop. I miss my dentist appointment, put the wrong number in the spreadsheet, throw a punch when my brain clearly said kick. I put the chops under the grill, to find I’ve turned on the oven instead. Even with the ‘point at the dial, check the dial’ technique. Or my greatest mess up of all, I send an email to the person I’m slagging off.
I seem to invent new ways for messing up every day. It’s relentless. Like I’ve suddenly turned into the biggest dufus in my own story. But, but, aren’t you supposed to be a Life Guide? The guy with the words of wisdom. The Whisperer? I am. But I’m also just an imperfect human in an imperfect world.
The temptation to berate myself for all these failures is overwhelming. You idiot. You loser. Good for nothing, waste of space, stupid piece of… Sometimes I shout, sometimes I cry, but mostly I just sigh. And say to myself: ‘ah yes, of course…’
What else can I do?
Well, there are lots of things. Memory training, cognitive-based activities. Being more organised, being more disciplined. Making to-do lists. Sticking Post-it notes to my forehead. Doing less, thinking more. It will all help. That much I’m sure. But the first step is recognition. Recognition that I’m not indestructible, infallible, the god of Whispers.
I know who I am, I know my limitations. I’m human. A perfectly imperfect human. I will never be perfect. I will always mess up, and I will keep messing up. Spectacularly and wonderfully. I will be the best messer-upper in the world. Jedi level. I will create my own martial art called Mess-up Jitsu. Then, after I mess up, I will get on with my day.
What belt are you in Mess-up Jitsu? What’s your best mess-up yet?
The Whisper: A Life Guide for Perfectly Imperfect People
Change your life, One day at a time.
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