How to Own a Mistake at Work Without Falling Apart
If you make a mistake at work, explain what happened and what you can correct. Ask for help if needed and keep your promises. One mistake does not mean you cannot do your job well.
Read reflectionEveryday life
Work and career
Reflections on work, ambition and the place a career occupies in your identity and everyday life.
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About this topic
Work can provide income, satisfaction and belonging, but it can also make a mistake or a rejection feel like a judgement on your whole identity. Expectations about success often hide the different opportunities and pressures people face.
Here we explore recognition, career choices, workplace relationships and the boundary between work and personal life. These reflections consider responsibility without endless availability, and ask what makes an occupation worthwhile beyond status or the need to prove your value.