You ever had one of THOSE days? I know you have.

One of those days where nothing worked, where everything you tried failed, your ideas were crap (or so it was explained to you), your star candidate declined or worse, disappeared, and because of a decision you made an urgent meeting has been planned tomorrow which includes every C level executive in your company.

Oh they are bad.... you leave the office with that knot in your tummy, you relive the decision or action ALL night, wondering what could I have done better? What did I so wrong? What are they thinking? IT wasn't that bad was it?

Dad always said, it's not how many times you get knocked down... it's how many times you get up that counts

You lie down in bed, and it's like an instant replay in your head... I did OK didn't I? That wasn't me was it, surely that other guy did that? Then the little red demon on the shoulder outweighs the white angel. "IT WAS YOU! YOU STUFFED UP! WHAT DO THEY WANT TO SAY IN THIS MEETING? IT CAN'T BE GOOD

Surely tomorrow is a sick day in the making? That feeling in the tummy must be the onset of gastro doesn't it?

I've had a couple of days like this in my career, the worst one happened when I was away on a conference, away from my support structures etc. In fact I think I even called home and had a serious conversation about quitting. My wife, however if pretty wise herself (if anyone tells her I said this I will deny... I promise I will). Told me to take a deep breath, OK take a few. Sleep on it. Stewing won't help.

I really wasn't in the mood to hear it, she didn't know how I felt or what I'd been through that day. Pish tosh I thought! That's right. I said PISH TOSH!

Here's the kicker... She was right... ahhhhhhh (again if you tell her I'll deny it)

Surprisingly I got some sleep, dragged my sorry bum out of bed and decided on a course of action. Forthright and to the point.. I was taking control. I owned the mistake, and I started to take ownership of the solution. THIS was a powerful feeling.

I then realised (with a little more help of those around me) that the people I was worried about facing, were actually there with the same goal in mind, to help the company succeed. They were looking for solutions not excuses and were present to help. (after the obligatory "What happened?" "Why?" "Are you serious?" "Why would you do that?" "Oh crap!")

Luckily all these questions (raised voices, red faces and ruffled hair aside) How are we going to fix it? Did you pick the important word there? "WE" I had buy in. They were there to help.

This was years ago, and I'm glad to report, we kicked some real butt recovering from this stuff up. I don't recommend the stuff ups, seriously they aren't something I'd want to do again. But my advice... if it counts for anything Stand Up, own it! take your licks (you probably deserved them), suck it up and work on the solution. Getting that solution will make you stronger. Listen to people and TAKE ACTION and fix it.