The Emotional Impact of Professional Errors and How to Cope

Mistakes are a part of life. In many cases, they’re opportunities to learn and develop. In this sense, they’re to be embraced.

There are occasions, however, where a serious mistake can have a massive impact on the way that you perceive yourself. Make this mistake in a professional setting, and there might be reputational damage to consider, as well as a loss of confidence.

In cases where a professional error leads to significant harm, it may be considered professional negligence, potentially resulting in legal consequences. This can be an additional source of stress.

Understanding the Emotional Fallout of Professional Mistakes

A number of feelings can follow a serious mistake. You might feel guilty, especially if the mistake has been consequential. You might feel embarrassed, or even ashamed. For example, if you’re working for a window fitting company, and you fail to measure the aperture properly, then you can incur additional costs for your employer, and hassle for the client. You might then question your own competence in the future – or suffer from the niggling belief that your employer is asking the same questions, privately.

If these feelings are left unaddressed, then they can fester. This can affect your mental health in the long term, as well as your performance in the future. Outside of work, your relationships might suffer. The best approach, typically, is to talk about these feelings. In some cases, that might mean looking for a professional counsellor.

The Importance of Self-Forgiveness

Ultimately, moving on from a mistake means being able to forgive yourself for it. This is actually a process that takes place over multiple stages. You’ll need to recognise that the mistake was made, and the extent of its impact. It can be healthy to think about the extent to which you are culpable. In many cases, it’s easy to exaggerate the effect of your error, in order to retain a sense of control.

Seeking Support from Others

A sense of perspective can often be found by speaking to friends and colleagues about the mistake, and how you feel about it. In some cases, there might be dedicated support groups available to help you deal with the emotions you’re feeling. If you feel that you can’t function, then it might be time to get professional support, so that you can process things in a way that isn’t destructive.

Developing Resilience and Learning from Mistakes

The best possible outcome from any mistake is that you learn from it, and fail to make the same mistake twice. Ideally, you’ll also accept that mistakes are an inevitable part of working life, while building the coping skills you need to process the mistakes you make in the future. In the long run, building resilience can be a vital part of your development in your chosen profession.