Fix What You Can, Let Go of the Rest

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt

When you fall short or make a misstep, it’s important to resolve the situation quickly—whether it’s in your work or with another person. Don’t delay in fixing your errors. Ignoring them only postpones inevitable pain. In your work, this is often simpler, but with people, things can become more complicated.

Your effort to repair a situation will be limited by what is in your control. Where you have caused harm or let someone down, your obligation is to make amends, make it right, and learn from your mistakes. Beyond this, you have no control. Be cautious not to attach your progress to another’s opinion. Where you can repair a situation, do so and continue moving forward. Another person’s discontent will resolve in its own time—that is not your responsibility.