Upon Further Review

They not only wished they did it better the first time; they actually admitted they got it wrong in the first place! So said 13different newspaper critics in Upon Further Review: Critics change their minds, a feature article in this weekend's Sunday Chicago Tribune Arts section. And how wonderfully refreshing is that?!

Take a look at who had the nerve (and moxie) to admit the err of their ways:

• Music Critic, Scott L. Powers
• Rock Critic, Greg Kot
• Movie Critic, Michael Phillips
• Movie Critic, Michael Wilmington
• Music Critic, Howard Reich
• Classical Music Critic, John von Rhein
• Theatre Critic, Chris Jones
• Television Critic, Maureen Ryan
• Arts Critic, Sid Smith
• Art Critic, Alan Artner
• Architecture Critic, Blair Kamin
• Restaurant Critic, Phil Vettel

These are big names in Chicago critic circles. Yet each person was man or woman enough to do what they called a 'critical reversal.'

Admitting you goofed when you really have is not a sign of weakness, as many would have you believe. It's a sign of objectivity, of maturity, of excellence. Yes, that's right, copping to your mistakes is a sign of excellence, because it's often not the mistake - it's what you do immediately after, or as a result of, the mistake - that matters more.

If you learn from it - and demonstrate that learning - then chances are good the error won't be held against you. In fact, you might even be commended for your honesty and integrity.

But if you try and pretend it never happened - or continue to make the same mistake over and over again - then chances are good that this particular example is just one more brick in an ever-growing wall separating you from lasting success.

Here's an exercise to clean the slate: List out a number of mistakes you know you've made this year and what you learned from each of them. Then go apply your learning in as meaningful a way as possible.

You'll feel better and the world will be a better place.