Why Getting It Wrong Might Be the Fastest Way to Get It Right

Thought For The Week

Somewhere along the way, we became afraid of getting it wrong. As children, we learned by doing—we fell off bikes, we mispronounced words, we tried things not fully aware of the consequences. But as we got older, all that changed. We now fear looking foolish, we worry about making the wrong choices, we’re reluctant to step outside our comfort zone. Ironically, this fear of messing things up can make us hesitant to the point that we stop trying—and learning—altogether. Yet research and experience both tell us: when mistakes are allowed and expected, we actually make fewer of them. The pressure lifts, and progress comes more easily.

Exercise Tip

Whether it’s a gym programme, an exercise class, or even a home workout, you might feel hesitant about starting something new because you’re afraid of not doing it “right”. You might worry about poor form, looking unfit, not knowing what to do, or simply not being good at it. But the truth is, nobody starts out perfect. Rather, progress in fitness comes through trial and error—adjusting your technique, learning what works for your body, and making small tweaks along the way. When you give yourself permission to get it wrong, you actually open the door to getting better, faster. Your body learns by doing, not by waiting until everything feels safe or certain.

Try this: Approach each workout like it’s a chance to practice, not perform. You’re not being judged—you’re learning. It’s okay if a rep feels awkward or a workout doesn’t go to plan. You’re building a skill, not chasing perfection.

Nutrition Tip

Approaching nutrition with an all-or-nothing mindset—as if one imperfect meal means you've blown it—is something I encounter frequently amongst clients. But learning how to nourish your body isn’t about following strict rules or getting every choice exactly right. It’s a skill, just like training. You figure it out by doing, not by waiting until you know everything. You might try a new approach to eating and realise it doesn’t give you the energy you need, or you might prep meals that turn out to be soggy and bland. These aren’t failures—they’re feedback. The key is to stay curious, not critical. Building a lasting, sustainable relationship with food requires you to treat it like a process, not a pass/fail test.

Try this: Treat new habits like experiments. Try meal prepping differently, adjusting your breakfast, or swapping ingredients and then notice how you feel. You’re not trying to get it “right,” you’re learning what works for you.

Links & Resources

Video: For a great explanation of why mistakes help us grow, check out this TED talk from Eduardo Briceño.

Blog post: Samantha Boardman offers a useful incentive to help us make more mistakes.

Recipe: For a notoriously difficult-to-get-right dessert, try this recipe for a light and chocolatey soufflé, and don’t worry if it sinks.

Inspirational Quote

"Mistakes are proof that you are trying."

Jennifer Lim