They Made The Biggest Mistake Possible
And I encouraged them to do it
One of the greatest gifts I ever gave my athletes was the freedom to make mistakes. I still remember the first time I said it, and the confused look on their faces as they lined up to race. “I want you to go out there and get it wrong.” It sounded absurd, I know. “Get it wrong?” they asked, as if I had made a mistake myself.
“Yes,” I said, “I want you to take chances and make mistakes. I don’t want you to run the perfect race today—because running the perfect race is impossible. I want you to get at least one thing wrong, maybe even two, so that we’ll have something to work on. Something we can correct. Stop trying to be perfect. Be willing to make mistakes so that you can learn from them.”
Of all the seemingly backward things I’ve ever said as a coach, this one felt the most upside down. But it also made the most sense. And when you take a look at Proverbs 12:1, you might get a similar feeling. It says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” That’s not a verse that makes immediate sense—it doesn’t say you need to avoid mistakes, or that you need to be perfect. Instead, it tells us that you have to love being corrected, love being disciplined, if you ever want to grow.
In Proverbs 12, the Hebrew word for "discipline" used in verse 1 is musar. In its biblical context, musar carries a rich meaning, encompassing the ideas of correction, instruction, moral education, and training. It isn't simply about punishment, but rather about teaching and guiding someone toward the right path, often through corrective measures.
Breakdown of Musar:
Instruction or Teaching: It refers to moral or intellectual guidance that helps shape a person’s character and decision-making. It’s the kind of education that aims to develop wisdom and understanding.
Correction: This includes rebuke or reproof when someone has gone astray, often used to bring them back on track. It's meant for improvement and growth.
Training: Like how an athlete trains to improve performance, musar involves repetition and practice in self-discipline to refine one’s actions and thoughts.
1. Correction as the Key to Growth
In coaching, whether on the track or in life, the concept of embracing correction is often met with resistance. Nobody likes to be told they're wrong. But here's the paradox: growth comes from being corrected, from learning what doesn't work so we can find what does. Just like I told my athletes to go out and "get it wrong," correction gives us something tangible to improve. It’s not about the shame of failure; it’s about the invitation to learn.
As a coach, I’ve seen athletes hit performance plateaus because they were so afraid of making mistakes that they stopped growing. But when they embraced correction—when they welcomed the feedback—I saw breakthroughs in their performance and confidence. In life coaching, it’s no different. Clients who are willing to confront their mistakes and embrace correction make real progress.
2. Discipline as a Path to Mastery
The discipline Proverbs 12 talks about is not just punitive; it’s the kind of discipline that shapes us over time. As athletes know, mastery comes from showing up every day, working hard, and taking steps forward—even when those steps aren’t perfect.
True discipline, whether physical, mental, or emotional, is the steady push toward excellence. It’s the hard practices, the challenging conversations, and the willingness to make mistakes that eventually lead to success. The key isn’t perfection; it’s the pursuit. That’s the heart of musar—training and discipline that refines us.
3. The Importance of Self-Awareness
Loving discipline requires a level of self-awareness that many struggle with. It’s about recognizing where we fall short and being open to correction. In athletics, those who are aware of their weaknesses and are willing to correct them improve faster. Athletes who think they already know everything stop learning.
In life, the same is true. Clients who resist correction or feedback end up stuck in the same cycles, while those who open themselves up to correction make progress toward their goals. Proverbs 12:1 reminds us that loving correction is key to wisdom. It requires the humility to know we don’t have it all figured out.
4. Discipline as Mental and Emotional Resilience
Discipline isn’t just about physical effort; it’s mental and emotional resilience. Athletes who can bounce back from mistakes, who don’t let failure define them, are the ones who succeed in the long run. They learn to use failure as feedback—an opportunity to be corrected and to improve.
In performance coaching, emotional discipline means making decisions based on values, not emotions. It’s the ability to stay focused on long-term goals even when short-term challenges threaten to derail us. The discipline to push through those moments of discomfort, to accept correction when things go wrong, is what builds true resilience.
5. The Danger of Rejecting Discipline
Proverbs 12:1 doesn’t just talk about loving discipline; it warns against rejecting it. “Whoever hates correction is stupid.” As harsh as that sounds, it’s a truth I’ve seen play out countless times. Athletes who refuse to correct their mistakes, who push back against feedback, eventually plateau. They miss out on their full potential.
In life, the same applies. Those who avoid correction, who refuse to face their flaws, never grow. The long-term consequence of rejecting discipline is stagnation and missed opportunities. In coaching, whether athletic or personal, the goal is to help people see that discipline isn’t a punishment—it’s a pathway to growth.
6. Discipline Shapes Character, Not Just Skill
Discipline and correction don’t just make you better at what you do—they shape who you are. The process of accepting feedback, making adjustments, and persevering through challenges builds character. It creates athletes who are not just physically strong, but mentally and emotionally resilient. It creates individuals who are capable of leadership, who have the integrity and perseverance to succeed not just in their sport, but in life.
This is the bigger picture of discipline. It’s not about the small corrections in performance, but about shaping people into individuals who thrive in any environment.
7. Correction as an Act of Care
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a coach is that correction is an act of care. When I correct my athletes, it’s because I see their potential. I want them to succeed. I don’t want them to be limited by their mistakes. Proverbs 12:1 tells us that loving correction is wise, and rejecting it is foolish. When we correct others, we’re investing in their future.
Athletes might not always appreciate correction in the moment, but over time they come to understand that feedback is a gift. It shows that someone cares enough to help them grow. The same is true in life. The people who care about you enough to correct you are the ones who believe in your potential.
Conclusion: Loving Discipline in Every Area of Life
Proverbs 12:1 might seem counterintuitive at first, but the truth it reveals is transformative. The freedom to make mistakes, the courage to embrace correction, and the discipline to keep improving are the keys to real growth—whether on the track, in business, or in life.
Loving discipline doesn’t mean seeking perfection; it means being open to growth. It means recognizing that the mistakes we make are opportunities for learning, and the corrections we receive are stepping stones toward wisdom and success.
So, whether you’re an athlete lining up for a race, a business leader facing challenges, or anyone seeking to grow in life, remember this: embrace discipline, welcome correction, and keep moving forward. Because it’s in those moments of correction that true wisdom is found.