Fewer Faux Pas Archive

Let’s face it, when it comes to mistakes in life, we will never have just one. Similar to Pringles, we may unconsciously indulge in more than we should. However, there is some nutritional value gained when you eat Pringles and likewise there is some educational value gained when you make mistakes.

But if you overindulge on these perfectly formed chips, it can begin to have an adverse effect on your well-being—excessive assumption of calories, fat, sodium, etc. that can lead to other problems. Likewise, if you continue to make the same mistakes over and over, it can also have an adverse effect on your well-being, including increased stress, worry, anxiety, failure, tension, pressure, etc.

I believe there is a lesson learned from the makers of Pringles. Regardless of their motive (sure it has something to do with $$$), they’ve realized we need some help reducing the bad stuff that taste so good because in the long run, it’s harmful to our well-being. Welcome to the world of Reduced Fat, Light, Fat Free, and 100 Calories snacks.

We should take heed and learn from Pringles because too many mistakes (especially the same ones) can also be harmful. I believe we can improve our overall health and well-being if we make a conscious decision to reduce the snacks and mistakes. I know it’s easier said than done, but if I had a solution akin to Pringles, I would sell it. Until then, I suggest LearnWhatNotToDo.com.

Who would have ever imagined that one simple technology feature could alter politics, get you fired, end a relationship, or ruin your business.  The fallout from sending an unintended email to “all” can sometimes be humorous, but often times is not.  People have gotten fired because of one innocent act– sending inappropriate comments or overly opposing opinions to bosses, customers, friends, and co-workers by mistake.

Whether you make a conscious or unconscious decision to use the hazardous REPLY TO ALL button,  my advice is to proceed with caution.  Don’t let a two-second flick of the mouse have a devastating effect on your life.  You can avoid this costly mistake by simply taking another five seconds to think about the domino effect from clicking REPLY TO ALL or make sure it is unchecked!  If that’s too much to suggest, there’s another option– purchase the software that asks for confirmation before you send a REPLY TO ALL message, thereby making you think twice about who will see what you’re about to send.

On my way to lunch today, I was stopped at a railroad track for a commuter train. On the other side of the track, I noticed a young man on a bike. Didn’t pay much attention to him until I saw the train coming (about 50 yards away) and the young man pick up his bike, go around the guard rail, and run across the track.  As the train passed by, the Conductor and I both watched in disbelief as the young man jumped back on his bike and rode off.

How many times have we put ourselves in harms way because we were impatient—taking shortcuts that were against our better judgment:

     •Burning your mouth on a freshly baked dish that hasn’t cooled off yet.
     •Injuring your muscle by skipping the warm-up before working out.
     •Crashing your car by driving while using a mobile phone.
     •Skipping a safety procedure to finish faster.

That young man who decided to outrun the train to gain 15 seconds of time could have tripped, slipped, or fell on the track. His impatience could have shortened his life. My lesson learned from this young man is to always think twice about what you can potentially lose by being impatient.  It could be your life.

Being a sports enthusiast, I couldn’t help reading the stories, comments, and opinions on the latest troubled college athlete and coach.  It saddens me, but also allows me to reminisce.

After much speculation, I believe it all came down to a Superstar who felt a scholarship to a major university wasn’t enough and a high-profile coach who felt winning wasn’t enough.   It didn’t start out that way because the athlete already has had everything most young people could ever hope for (I’ll talk about the coach in Part 2).   Exceptional talents and skills, the opportunity to play the sport he loves on a national stage, a free education, and access to top-notch coaches, trainers, facilities, and resources to propel him to professional status, should he choose that route.

So did the superstar (and some teammates) honestly forget the NCAA rules on “improper benefits?”  If yes, then they all made an honest mistake.  His lesson learned should be whatever you do in life, always know and pay attention to the rules because if you intentionally or unintentionally break them and get caught, you will suffer consequences—big or small, sooner or later.  But, if he intentionally ignored the rules, the question is why?

I attended a Division III school on a track scholarship (no track, no facility).  In my third year of college, I used my meager scholarship stipend to buy my first car (a Dodge Colt, which I kept for 10 years).

After looking back, it’s evident my four years of college shaped who I am (today):

• Happiness–  played and excelled in the sport I love (devoted spectator)
• Intelligence–  graduated with a B.S. Degree (got my MBA several years later)
• Beauty–  developed my physical and mental well-being (still wear the same size)
• Success–  learned to compete in life and accept successes and failures in a positive spirit (always embrace life’s twists and turns)
• Wealth– acquired everything listed above and it didn’t cost me a penny (PRICELESS!!)

Today’s youth (and some parents) may not agree on the value of my scholarship, but maybe herein lays the answer.  Did this Superstar (and teammates) make a poorly calculated decision because he didn’t know the value of what he had or was he convinced he needed more to live up to his Athlete Rockstar status?

As I was preparing my very first post to kickoff my blog, I hemmed and hawed over what topic I should write about to set the tone for Fewer Faux Pas.  Should it be controversial to get your attention?  Full of profanity to shock you?  Humorous to keep you laughing?  Or a blog version of reality TV to entertain you?

Since I wasn’t gifted with the creative writing skills necessary to pull off either of these successfully, I decided to start by discussing one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned early in ife—and that is to Be Yourself.

Do you realize how much time and money we spend trying to project an image of wealth, intelligence, success, happiness, and beauty?  It’s not that we aren’t, it’s the actions we take to convince others we are.  To top it off, we try to create an image for our kids, family, and friends as well.   The question I have for you is, are these actions defined as just honest mistakes OR poorly calculated decisions while under the influence of others?