Excuses - Be sure to check your math

We've all seen them. Those motivational posters that line the walls of businesses around the world. They are a combination of pristine scenery and inspirational text designed to motivate you into action.

One such poster was relayed to me by a 14-year-old after someone was complaining about not doing well on a video game. They were complaining that their game remote wasn't working right. She chimed in,

"Don't make excuses, make improvements."

We've all been in those situations. Something doesn't look right or some project doesn't come out the way it was planned. Was it the planning or the execution that failed? Did we leave out a step in an already established process that led to an undesired result?

I remember being reminded in school to always check your math. Once you turn in your paper, test, homework, etc., it's too late to go back and make corrections. Sure there is room for mistakes in life. That's how we grow. What we do with the information is up to us. Are you going to whine about some uncontrolled variable or are you going to improve the process and decision making skills in order to complete the task?

Be sure to check your math.