Bounce Back from Bad August 13, 2012My BusinessOff

It’s happened to the best of us.

You’re a woman business owner, multi-tasking away, when you make a seemingly horrendous mistake that jeopardizes your career.

Ever hit the “send” button, just to realize that email was not supposed to go to that person?

After such a blunder, it can seem like the day spirals out of control. But, by taking time to process the mistake and move forward, you can recover.

First, start by owning up and making amends. “Forgive yourself! If you need to apologize to someone, do it. You’ll feel better,” says Meg Selig, counselor and author of Changepower.

Regaining control of the situation by an appropriate gesture helps. Apologizing, then building a relationship beyond the blunder could actually strengthen your business ties with that person.

Then, it’s time to move on. Selig suggests talking to someone, taking a walk, or comforting yourself by doing something completely different, to get some perspective after a rough day.

“The best way to approach a gaffe is to focus calmly and objectively on the circumstances around what happened, and how it could be prevented from happening again,” says Susan Biali, life coach and author of Live a Life You Love.

Ruminating over a mistake won’t help. “Enjoy something distracting like a great book. Get yourself out of your head. Don’t let it take over your day,” says Biali.

Above all, let go of what can’t be changed – cut yourself some slack.

Bonus PINK Link: Read how Condoleezza Rice recovers from mistakes.

Minute Mentor: Jennifer Kahnweiler, founder of AboutYOU Inc., says how to beat getting emotional at the office.

do you turn around a gaffe?

By Carmen Harbour

“If I had my life to live over… I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.” Nadine Stair

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