Category: English

All our lives we are taught to “Do it right.” What if, on the other hand, from time to time we, “Do it wrong?”

As strange as it may sound, this is often the best option. If you can do it right, then by all means, do it right. If not, it is frequently better to do it wrong.

Everything is difficult before it is easy. The value of an activity doesn’t always come from doing it “right.” Think for a moment about any activity which you now do well. It could be your work, a certain sport or a game. Before doing it “right” you probably did it “wrong.”

Our fears, uncertainties and doubts run rampant when we start something new.

I’m afraid to do it!

I’m unsure I can do it right!

What if I do it wrong?

These and other thoughts plague our mind. There are only two options. Get up and take action or stay down in the dumps and do nothing.

It is not always wise to do everything which comes to mind, as this also can be dangerous. Nevertheless, when it comes to doing something which can drive us toward our goals and objectives, it is preferable to take action “doing it wrong,” instead of doing nothing at all.

Let’s look at the example of a baby just learning to walk. They do it “wrong” at first. We don’t expect the child to get up and start running around without first falling down a few times. Nor do we chastise the child for doing it “wrong” and falling. As is usually the case, it is not falling down, rather getting up which is most important. It’s the bounce that counts in so many things in life.

In all we do there is a learning curve. We can shorten this curve by first familiarizing ourselves with what we want to achieve, by learning as much as possible from the mistakes of others who have eventually done “right” what we most desire. We can then use this information to optimize our efforts. Nevertheless, we normally do things “wrong” before we do them “right.”

There are many factors influencing our desire to begin an activity. We commonly have fears about what others may say, uncertainties about exactly how to do it, and doubts regarding our ability to do it well. While these emotions are part of our reality and can help us face danger, they inhibit our ability to reach beyond our grasp.

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp or what’s a heaven for….The aim, if reached or not, makes great the life!”

– Robert Browning.

When we get to the end of this marvelous journey we call life, the saddest thing is to fall into a series of questions which begin with the phrase:

“If only I had done such and such, when I was younger…”

By getting up and taking action to do it “wrong” when we cannot do it “right,” we will learn from our errors and improve until we can do it right. The next time you face a major decision between doing it wrong and doing nothing at all, do it wrong.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 23