Four times in the last four days, my mind has flashed to the last Podcast project we just finished shooting, The Breakthrough with Abiola Iyiola. It is a large project, we planned to box shoot three episodes but we were able to shoot only two because of time constraints. I am grateful for this project and I have humbly muttered these words “Thank you Lord” under my breath many times. But my mind won't stop giving me a painful strike. Why? Because I thought that I omitted certain questions I should have asked. And each time I thought about the whole thing, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth! “How could I?”
The strike ignored the fact that we recorded two successful episodes! It ignored everything that worked well on set, the team that showed up and mounted their guards, the guests who were gracious and stayed till the end of the production. It ignored all the support and partnership we got and those who stake their trust in us. But I decided to worry about the questions I could have asked instead.
As I prepared for the office yesterday, shortly after my last strike that almost tore my heart apart, a thought came to my mind:
“It is a privilege to make mistakes” Particularly the ones we can correct and improve on. The ones that come while creating and living our genius and engaging our talents.
And here is why.
For two years I had a clean slate. I made no attempt to record and pursue this idea in my head that no one knows about and I made no mistake because I didn't attempt anything. Even though I looked forward to the production with all my being, I didn't receive a single strike because I did nothing.
People who do nothing receive no strike.
If I did not attempt to execute the idea in my head there would be nothing to be guilty about. You need to first speak before you can stutter, those who don't walk do not trip, you cannot want rain and call thunder a taboo. One is a consequence of the other. And you must be grateful for your opportunity (mistakes), it is an indication that you are making progress. I know. This is strange to us. We are not comfortable with appearing like a fluff. You’d prefer that things are more perfect than they are currently. But that perfection mentality is a trap into smallness.
You will either embrace the storm that comes with putting something out, of breathing life into your ideas, of implementing your project etc or stick with the calmness of pain and smallness, and the the burden of doing nothing.
I want to be perfect but I don't want to be small. I don't want to make mistakes yet I don't want to accomplish my dreams. Unfortunately that's impossible. We cannot eat our cake and have it.
If I had retained my clean slate and made no mistake, there would be no project to discuss and launch today. There will be nothing to improve on in subsequent episodes. I have taken note of the questions I should have asked but I am more grateful that we gave life to the idea in our head.
Some people would rather not make mistakes than make one. I have been there. About seven years ago, I recorded the audio version of my letters(this one you are reading) and shared it with a friend who worked in a radio house. I was impressed with the audio clip, people who couldn’t read my long paragraphs could listen to me reading it to them, I said to myself. She listened to it and got back to me.
She noted how good the clip was BUT my breath was audible through the clip. I took this feedback personally and stopped recording my further episodes instead of looking for a way to fix the BUT in subsequent clips. I robbed my audience of the opportunity to get blessed by my insights and voice. Do not be afraid of the errors that could be corrected.
Error occurs when there is an action and action itself is an act of bravery.
Those who don't attempt anything need not bother about mistakes. Mistakes are only meant for those doing stuff. So mistakes are rare privileges that indicate that we are trying things, it shows we are engaging the soil with our gifts, that we are making progress in the line of duty.
This is where I need you.
The podcast episode will be published in a week but I need you to Subscribe to my channel ahead of the release. That support would mean everything to me and my team.
Enjoy the rest of your week and breakthrough from within.
©Abiola Iyiola, 2025
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/@abiolaiyiolaa?si=bf1NaHvVCYbo0LjF