Expert shares tips on how you can overcome past mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. However, it can cause trouble if you hold on to them forever. And if you do, it can also affect your concentration, making it difficult to stay focused. As a result, your productivity may reduce and relationships may suffer. Kamna Chhibber, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, helps us understand how to heal from the past.
Look for the bigger picture
In every situation and overall life, positivity is everywhere. Even as you may err in situations, there would always be things where you have done well. Looking at these is important. "Try and look at the larger context of your life and understand their relevance and impact about the larger goals and quality of life you desire," Chibber says.
Maintain a balanced outlook
Chhibber advises one to realize that the mistake made in one area of life should not affect other areas. This can help you look at a broader aspect. "Try and remember that a balanced outlook regarding the presence of different aspects of life is critical. It allows for a better approach towards enhancing the quality of your life," she tells.
Asses and hold on to learnings
Assess what went wrong. "Don't adopt an overly judgmental approach. Rather, try to be more objective and if needed, visualize how you would look at the situation if someone else was in the same setting," enlightens Chibber. "Hold on to your understanding of what went wrong so you can ensure the same does not happen in the future," the expert recommends.
Build perspective
Look at developing an understanding of how different ways of approaching a situation can lead to different experiences and outcomes. "Build a perspective of alternative ways in which you could have approached the situation to be able to ensure that the next time you are in a similar space you can look at a different way of managing the situation and yourself," states Chhibber.
Communicate with significant others
Whenever you hold on to the negatives, Chhibber advises you to have open communication with your partner instead of internalizing your thoughts. "Ensure you share your experience with your significant other if it continues to trouble you. It is important to discuss so you can gain perspective, build a vantage point, and understand that every individual can make an error," the psychologist concludes.
