Being an entrepreneur and making decisions is not always easy. In business, you must try to foresee what is around the corner. You look at data, you look at trends, and you may even look at your competitors. You will not always make the right decisions, and you will undoubtedly make mistakes. Owning those mistakes and learning from them is crucial.
Now, consider this in the context of someone who is neurodiverse, someone who may have been ridiculed at school for making mistakes, and who feels like a failure when they do so. For such an individual, mistakes play on their mind, negatively impacting their mental health. This person has poured their heart and soul into their work and burned themselves out, yet they keep Moving forward.
"Moving forward" is a phrase I use often. Most of the time, I am moving forward in some way. However, I am also moving backwards and dealing with burnout. I have made many mistakes. Owning those mistakes is challenging, especially when your mind keeps reminding you of them and your body makes you feel like a failure. For someone who is neurodiverse, trying to stop, find a way around, and turn a mistake into a positive experience can be particularly difficult.
Reflecting on the past two to three years, life has been far from easy. Personal circumstances such as bereavement, family members' medical conditions, managing my own neurodiversity, and maintaining positive mental health while being a leader have all posed significant challenges. Sometimes, I wonder how to pause without halting progress and the subsequent effects that might have.
Despite these difficulties, we have delivered numerous dyslexia shows, conducted online training courses, and supported many schools with technology and accessibility solutions. Yes, I have made mistakes. Yes, I have to own those mistakes. And yes, I must find ways to move forward.
Writing this article helps break through the barrier. Decisions must be made in the coming days, weeks, and months. Some of these decisions will be difficult, some will be amazing, some will be profitable, and some will be just okay.
As a neurodiverse individual, I often appear very positive, and most of the time, I am. However, I may be masking my true feelings and hurting inside. Sharing that we are not always okay actually makes us feel okay.
Owning mistakes and learning from them is what we take away. Using that knowledge to make the best possible next decision allows us to move forward.