5 Ways to Avoid Stupid Mistakes

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We're often irritated by those who seem to question everything, who burst our little bubbles. They slow things down and create confusion. But before being too critical, they may be doing us a favor by nudging us to ask the one question that makes a difference: "How do I know what I think I know?"

Point: Ignorance isn't bliss; it's a severe handicap.

4. Think it through

We all have our own ideas and because they're ours, it's inevitable we become overly invested in them. They're our "children" and should anyone dare to disagree or fail to warm up to them, we almost instinctively get our back up and get ready for a battle. And that's when we get off track. Instead of solving problems, we persist in pursuing ill-conceived solutions—and make stupid and unnecessary mistakes.

This is why thinking it through is so critical. In his book, "How to Think," Alan Jacobs says thinking is "not the decision itself but what goes into the decision, the consideration, the assessment. It's testing your own responses and weighing the available evidence."

Then Jacobs adds, "It's grasping, as best you can and with all available and relevant senses, what is, and it's also speculating, as carefully and responsibly as you can, about what might be." 

Point: In other words, thinking something through means considering the consequences.

5. Make it personal

Sales spiels, elevator speeches, presentations, and other messaging often cause unexpected problems. Even though their objective is to help us perform more effectively, they can do just the opposite.

For example, even the most carefully prepared and "polished" presentations can fall short of its goal. While we may think we "aced it," those listening may think differently. It even happens with presenters on the premier storytelling venue, The Moth. Some are more gripping than others.

Here's the problem: By putting so much energy into getting the words, tone, gestures and everything else right, we get all wrapped up with what we want to get across. When this happens, we unintentionally build a barrier that separates us from our listeners, readers or customers.

In his book, To Sell is Human, tells what an Israeli radiologist did to overcome the impersonal nature of his job. He imagined that every scan he looked at was that of his father. "You can borrow from this insight with this simple technique for moving others," writes Pink. "In every encounter, imagine that the person you're dealing with is your grandmother." He calls it the ultimate way to make sure you're making it personal.

Point: Unless we make it personal, it can end up as a stupid mistake.

All of us make enough mistakes without carrying the extra burden of downright stupid ones that get us in unnecessary trouble. We're far better off if we know the triggers so we can avoid making stupid mistakes. 

—Read 12 of the Most Common Broker Mistakes to Avoid on ThinkAdvisor.

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