Business By Hormozi #234: If You Keep Making the Same Mistake Over and Over Again, the Mistake Isn’t the Problem. You Are.

The Cycle of Repeating Mistakes

We’ve all been there. You make a mistake, learn from it, and swear you’ll never make it again. But then, weeks or months later, you find yourself making the same mistake once more. At first, it’s easy to point fingers at external factors or the mistake itself. But the truth is, if you keep repeating the same mistake, the problem lies with you—not the situation.

The mistake isn’t the issue; it’s how you respond to it and what you learn from it. The real question is: why aren’t you making the necessary changes to avoid repeating it?

Recognizing the Patterns

When we make a mistake, there’s often a tendency to brush it off or assume it was just bad luck. But when a mistake happens repeatedly, it's a sign that there is a deeper issue. You might be overlooking a pattern or failing to address the root cause. If you’re continuously making the same error, it’s important to stop and look at the bigger picture. What’s causing the mistake?

It’s easy to focus on the surface-level issue, but the deeper reflection is where the learning happens. Is it a lack of preparation? A pattern of procrastination? A mindset block? Identifying the pattern will help you break the cycle and make meaningful progress.

Self-Reflection is Key

When you keep stumbling on the same mistake, it’s time to take a hard look at yourself. Self-reflection is the key to breaking the cycle. Instead of blaming the mistake or outside circumstances, focus on what you can change within yourself to ensure the same mistake doesn’t happen again.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

• Why did I make this mistake again?

• What did I fail to learn last time that could have prevented this?

• What habits or thought patterns are allowing this mistake to repeat?

The only way to move forward is to take ownership of your mistakes, learn from them, and adjust accordingly. Your ability to improve is directly tied to your willingness to reflect and grow from your experiences.

The Power of Changing Your Approach

The key to overcoming repetitive mistakes is to adopt a new mindset and approach. Stop reacting to mistakes with frustration or self-blame. Instead, treat them as opportunities to grow. Once you’ve identified the pattern, it’s time to implement changes that will stop you from falling into the same traps.

Whether that means adjusting your workflow, setting clearer goals, or changing your mindset, making adjustments is critical. It’s not enough to acknowledge the mistake—you must take deliberate steps to correct it. Be proactive in eliminating the habits or thought patterns that are enabling the cycle.

Accountability and Persistence

Sometimes, breaking the cycle requires external support. Accountability is a powerful tool in this process. Share your struggles with someone you trust or seek a mentor who can help guide you through the learning process. They can offer feedback, point out patterns you might be missing, and hold you accountable for your growth.

The most important part, though, is persistence. Don’t be discouraged by repeated failures. Keep learning, adjusting, and improving. Change won’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort, you’ll eventually break the cycle and avoid making the same mistake again.

Conclusion: Take Control and Grow Mistakes

Making mistakes is a part of life. What truly matters is how we respond to them. If you find yourself continuously making the same mistake, the problem isn’t with the mistake itself but with your ability to learn from it and make the necessary changes. Take ownership, reflect on the root cause, adjust your approach, and persist. The more you do this, the less likely you’ll be to repeat the same mistakes in the future.