Error does not define me, I made the error. I’m not the error.
So many times we label ourselves when we don't really have to label ourselves. Labeling ourselves can lead to Shane, guilt, anxiety, and various other negative emotions. At the same time, we can realize that maybe we have made a mistake, maybe we did make a decision that was not the smartest decision. Maybe we were not being as patient as we could've been. It's important to acknowledge the truth about ourselves, even when the truth is not a pretty truth.
That being said, instead of saying that I am a bad decision maker, I can simply acknowledge that there are times where I may not make good decisions. There is no need to label myself, as always doing something, never being able to change, or some other absolute quality that is ultimately a lie.
"I have made good decisions, I have been patient with others, and I've been able to speak confidently. While those things are true about me, it's also true that in this instance, I made a bad decision. In this instance, I was not as patient as I would've liked to be. Or in this instance, I became very nervous."