WOW Word-Of-the-Week #274: Oopsie

October 25, 2009 by  

Oopsie – what you say when things don’t go as planned.

What do you say when you make an unintentional mistake or screw up? Do you have a tendency to “beat yourself up” or do you accept it, deal with it, and move on?

Oopsie - I can't believe I did that!

Oopsie - I can't believe I did that!

Well, I had an “oopsie” at 3 AM yesterday morning when I awoke and realized I had not done my WOW #274. I was so busy working on my volunteer project this weekend I totally spaced it. Not that that is an excuse! I should have made myself a note instead of relying on my memory, because clearly that didn’t work.

My first thought was to say it was a computer glitch. Which it sort of was. If you don’t put it in the computer, it is a glitch. However, that would not have been the truth. So I apologize for not having it done on time. I am sorry and I am human. It’s not like my missing it was earth shattering.

I am glad to say that I am a “recovering perfectionist.” The old me would have been “beating myself up” for being so stupid. The new me is a lot more forgiving. How do you handle an “oopsie?” Can you acknowledge it and move on?

I do believe there are some people who should not have “oopsies” at all. People who I would never want to say “oopsie” are NASA scientists or health care providers for starters!

So this week think about how you handle “oopsies.” Are you forgiving of yourself if you make an unintentional mistake or screw up? How about someone else? Could you say “oopsie” and smile? Could you discuss it without being upset?

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