Once upon a time, I attempted to learn to ski. And in the process, I made a colossal misjudgment and ended up “snowplowing” into a very large group of people at the bottom of a very steep hill.

I tried yelling something like, “Comin’ atcha!” or “Look out belowwww!” or “Fire!”—although it’s hard to remember exactly what I screamed, because none of my warnings succeeded in parting the multitude. I was terrified, thinking that this must be what it feels like to run into an oncoming train.

And then I hit them, full force, my already-spread-apart legs spreading even father. Can you say, “Wishbone?”

My body parts became their body parts in a painful, chaotic tangle of humans and skis. I also heard a few choice words aimed at describing my athletic ability and aptitude.

Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt, although I was severely stretched. And I went on that day to take another ski lesson. By the end of the weekend I could navigate that hill just fine. Still, I’ve always felt bad about the distress I caused all those victims of my colossal misjudgment.

No doubt you yourself have misjudged, bumbled about, and generally made biiiig mistakes your share of times, and—good news—Chris Haigh, writer and co-host of the podcast “North by Nerdwest” has a few suggestions for us all to help us deal with our mess-ups.

Listen in for help in processing your own current and (inevitable) future bumbles…

NOTE

Haigh, Chris. “Don’t Panic! 5 Things To Do When You’ve Messed Up,” Lifehack, March 9, 2023. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/dont-panic-5-things-when-youve-screwed.html