I made the best decision I could with the information I had at the time

​Colleagues,
 
Today we continue the series on the twenty most important things I have learned from others.

I made the best decision I could with the information I had at the time

I don’t remember who I learned this from or when I first heard this phrase but learning this lesson has helped me be much kinder to myself and more forgiving of others.
 
People don’t intentionally do stupid things or make bad decisions, yet all of us do stupid things and make bad decisions. 
 
Why?
 
Of course, there are lots of factors, including emotional and psychological ones, but in the end, we do our best with the information that we have. Consequences and retrospection are great teachers for the future but are poor friends to the present.
 
When you screw up (and you will), learn and move on. You didn’t try to mess up. You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time. This makes enacting lesson 9 (treat yourself as you would a child) a whole lot easier!

I’ll be away from email for a while, but please feel free to respond to this series and I will get back to you after my return.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick​