To err is human. That cannot be more true. In fact, it is how we humans learn. By trial and error. Since our childhood till the day we die, it is our countless mistakes that teach us about life, about what to do and what not to do.

It is the failures and mistakes that make us wiser and it is ironic that the very mistakes teach us how not to repeat them. This wisdom is what helps us grow and manoeuvre various situations in life.

But sometimes, one can't help but think why it is that, we realise the mistake that we have made, only when it is too late. Sometimes, we do things and say things that cannot be taken back and it is in these times that we ask ourselves that question.

Is it possible to prevent a mistake? Is it possible to learn from a mistake without actually making it? Perhaps yes. But that would mean that every decision we make has to be weighed completely and even then it can't be assured.

Early Realisation

Sometimes we can also learn from other people's mistakes. Especially if that someone is close to us. That way, we don't have to actually suffer the consequences of the mistakes but we still get to learn from them.

Of course, we don't learn as deeply as we would have if we had made the mistake ourself, but it is still possibly to learn enough so as to avoid it in the future. But we would need to resist the thought that the same outcome couldn't happen to us.

Another thing that can help is taking advice from family and friends. Sometimes, we get tunnel vision and therefore end up making bad decisions and so it is always best to take an outside opinion. Sometimes others know better about what we are doing and what the outcome will be, especially family and friends.

And there is always your intuition also. As Steve Jobs once said, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." So if you really feel strongly about something, listen to your inner feelings.

All this should probably help you realise what you are doing and what the outcomes could be. Even after all your best efforts some mistakes will be inevitable and we just have to live with it.