Correct Your Errors Early

Let’s talk about mistakes — the big, uncomfortable kind. The kind we wish we could undo. We all make them. What matters is what we do next.

This piece uses a powerful story from the Ramayana — one you may know — to reflect on this exact point. It’s the story of Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, whose downfall began with one bad decision… and was sealed by his refusal to correct it.

Here’s how it started: Ravana’s sister, Surpanaka, was insulted by Rama and Lakshmana after making unwanted advances. Hurt and angry, she pushed her brother to take revenge — to abduct Sita, Rama’s wife. It was bad advice, and deep down, even Ravana probably knew it. But his ego and desire had already been stirred, and he acted.

From there, warning after warning came his way. People who cared about him — like his uncle Maricha — pleaded with him to reconsider. Maricha even reminded him of Rama’s strength and compassion. But Ravana couldn’t — or wouldn’t — listen.

And here’s the heartbreaking part: the destruction of Lanka wasn’t because Ravana made a mistake. It was because he refused to admit it, and didn’t change course when he could have.

How often do we see this in our own lives?

Maybe we’ve made a poor decision at work, but pride stops us from speaking up. Maybe we’ve hurt someone we love, but fear or ego holds us back from apologizing. Maybe we’ve been on a path that no longer feels right, but we keep going because turning around feels like failure.

But here’s the truth: turning around is strength. Owning a mistake early is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. The longer we wait, the more damage we often create — to ourselves and to others.

This teaching isn’t about guilt. It’s about courage — the courage to pause, reflect, and course-correct before it’s too late.

We all know that feeling — the inner nudge that something is off. The longer we ignore it, the quieter it gets. But when we start listening again, that whisper becomes a guide.

In the world of leadership, relationships, and inner growth, this one quality can set us apart: the ability to say, “I got it wrong, and I’m ready to change.”

So if there’s a place in your life where a small correction could prevent a big fallout, don’t wait. Don’t let the story go too far before you rewrite it. Take the brave step now — apologize, adjust, speak, soften.

Because often, the strongest people are not the ones who never fall — they’re the ones who get up early.