Over the weekend, two podcasts I like approached a question about mistakes from opposite perspectives. I had an immediate response to the first question. The second one took a bit more thought.

1. What’s a mistake you’ve made that you want others to avoid?

In my 20s and 30s, I overused credit cards and neglected short-term savings. As a result, I paid way too much interest and lacked flexibility in financial decisions. If I could persuade my younger self to behave differently, I would avoid the habit of spending money I don’t yet have.

2. What’s a mistake you’ve made that you would encourage others to make?

I left a well-paying job that no longer gave me joy to start a business. The obstacles became too much and I hadn’t thought through a plan B. In the end, it led me to work from home for an online business. Trish and I then decided to start SimplyBetter Coaching and Movement Therapy. If I had known how challenging it would be to start and grow a business, I might have stayed in the corporate world. I’m glad that I ignorantly took a risk to find fulfillment. With more knowledge I might have talked myself out of it.

How would you answer these questions?