Celebrating Mistakes 7/3/25

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Falling Awake Webinar Introduction

Dave Ellis welcomed participants to the Falling Awake Webinar on July 3, 2025, and introduced his co-facilitator, Bill Rentz.  Dave confirmed the webinar was being recorded and asked Hank Taxes to identify himself, which he did. The session began with introductions and a brief discussion about the webinar’s timing, noting that previous surveys indicated attendees would participate.

Embracing Mistakes for Success

Dave discussed the importance of examining and improving strategies for dealing with mistakes to enhance the quality of life. He emphasized the goal of responding to mistakes with action, such as fixing or celebrating them, without self-recrimination or resentment. Dave shared personal experiences and referenced a book and website to highlight the value of mistakes and the need for clear goals to identify them. He focused on the success strategy of “moving toward love,” which involves accepting, embracing, and celebrating mistakes responsibly.

Learning From Mistakes

Dave shared two significant mistakes he made: losing $2 million on a business purchase and damaging two cars in a collision with his wife. He emphasized that he didn’t get angry or resentful about these mistakes, instead viewing them as learning opportunities. Bill shared his recent mistake of choosing the wrong realtors when selling his house, which cost him additional overhead and lost income. Dave concluded by discussing how he handled the loss of cash during a move by wishing well to the thief, demonstrating his ability to let go of resentment over mistakes.

Reflecting on Personal Growth

Dave led a discussion on reflecting on personal mistakes or current challenges, encouraging participants to write about them for 2 minutes. He emphasized the importance of being visible on video and using the chat or hand-raising feature to contribute. Brij expressed gratitude to Dave for hosting these sessions, which foster a sense of community and presence.

Overcoming Financial Regret and Fear

Dave led a coaching session focused on helping participants let go of emotional pain related to financial mistakes and poor decisions. He worked with Brij, who regretted investing his life savings in a failed cancer treatment startup, and Peter, who was struggling with overspending on home projects after a strong initial money flow. Dave helped Peter recognize that using his financial mistakes as motivation was counterproductive and suggested reframing his approach by focusing on running towards positive goals like building savings rather than running away from past mistakes.

Overcoming Self-Criticism and Self-Judgment

Peter discussed his habit of self-criticism and feeling like a “bad person” due to past traumas and mistakes, particularly regarding financial issues. Dave suggested letting go of self-upset and practicing acknowledging mistakes without harsh self-judgment, emphasizing that self-criticism is unnecessary and that people are naturally capable of remembering mistakes without the need for emotional punishment. Peter expressed a desire to let go of this habit, acknowledging that it was holding him back from joy, and Dave encouraged him to practice accepting mistakes and focusing on taking constructive action rather than dwelling on self-upset.

Gratitude in Challenging Times

Dave, Peter, and Bill discussed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and practicing gratitude, even in challenging financial situations. Bill shared his personal experience of finding joy and awe in life despite the loss of his wife, emphasizing that gratitude can be cultivated regardless of circumstances. Peter expressed appreciation for their insights and committed to continuing to practice gratitude and let go of financial worries.

Personal Growth and Action Reflection

Dave encouraged participants to reflect on personal growth and action-taking by writing about their self-discovery and intentions for change after listening to the speakers. He emphasized the importance of focusing on individual insights and actions rather than sharing ideas with others, and he requested participants to share their reflections.

Overcoming Financial Mistakes

Melissa shared her thoughts on dealing with financial mistakes, emphasizing the need for solutions and the importance of not letting mistakes overshadow one’s progress. Brij discussed his experience with a financial mistake, highlighting how it affected his trust in judgment and creativity. He realized the importance of moving past caution and embracing inventiveness again. Dave agreed with Brij’s insights, noting that the cost of being upset about a mistake often outweighs the mistake itself.

Embracing Creativity and Emotional Growth

Dave shared his personal experience of losing a business and borrowing $2 million to rebuild it, emphasizing his commitment to creativity and giving away money as motivation. Kina reflected on her ability to empathize with others’ sadness while neglecting her own, expressing a desire to explore and acknowledge her own emotions. Dave encouraged Kina’s intention to confront her sadness and supported her goal of helping others do the same.

Learning From Mistakes and Growth

The group discussed how to handle mistakes, with Norma sharing her perspective that she views mistakes as learning opportunities rather than dwelling on them. Dave led a survey about the webinar’s impact, noting that 71% of participants reported significant and permanent improvement in their quality of life. The conversation ended with participants expressing gratitude and saying their goodbyes.