You made a mistake. Perhaps you did not realize something was going to happen. And then it did. Or you noticed your error but were not able to correct it in time. Things happen. The important thing is to figure out how you are going to fix them, take action, and move on while trying not to repeat the same mistakes time and again. Here are a few tips to get you on a better path.
When you drop your phone in the water -
This happens to many people, and it has probably happened to you. Your phone may fall into the ocean on your next trip to the beach, get too much water on it while you are using it to cook a new recipe, or it might even fall into the toilet. These are all likely scenarios, but regardless of what happens, when your all-important smartphone gets wet, you need to do something about it quickly.
After drying off your device give it a thorough inspection. Brush off any debris and sanitize it if necessary. Check out your components to see if the phone still works. The recommendation to put smartphones in a bag of dry white rice is good as the rice draws out water and absorbs it.
Check the rest of the phone, particularly the speakers. If the sound is not coming through as it should or you want to err on the side of caution, try this cool technique to fix my speaker. It uses a specific sequence of tones to expel the remaining water from the speakers.
Once you have fixed your phone, consider how you will use or store it when you are near water next time. Try these options to keep it dry and in good condition:
Place the phone in a waterproof accessory case with a lanyard.
Keep it in a zippered bag.
Invest in a waterproof case.
Use a crossbody phone case.
When you pull the drawstring out of your pants -
While this situation can prove very frustrating, you have an easy solution to fix your problem. You should be able to find either a safety pin or a paperclip, the larger sizes for either of these supplies will make the job easier and quicker.
Attach the safety pin through one end of the drawstring and securely close the pin as you normally would. If you are using a paperclip, gently poke one end of the metal through the end of the drawstring. If you are reluctant to do so, using the drawstring, tie a small knot around one of the rounded ends of the paperclip.
Next, gently push the safety pin or paperclip through the drawstring panel in your pants. Hold the pin or clip on the outside of the pants and keep gently pushing it through the entire drawstring channel until the pin or clip emerges through the other hole. Remove the pin or clip and then tie an extra knot at the end of each drawstring to prevent it from being pulled through ever again.
When you say the wrong thing -
Everybody says the wrong thing at the wrong time a few times in their life. You are not alone. You have probably committed a social gaffe or two and you likely will again. It happens. Open mouth, insert foot, as they say. Stop worrying about what you said and take action.
What matters is how you handle your mistakes going forward. If you said something small, and easily fixable, address the verbal error immediately and apologize or correct yourself. No harm, no foul. Should your words have been misconstrued and taken the wrong way, or a miscommunication may have occurred, damage control is your necessary next step.
Instead of crawling under a rock, be brave and address the problem head-on and with grace, dignity, and humility if needed. Talk to the person in private, ideally in a face-to-face conversation. If that is not an option, call them. Yes, use the audio portion of your phone. Miscommunications are easier to clear up and less likely to happen when you can convey yourself in real-time. Avoid texting an important apology if at all possible.
Watch this video to learn the art form behind a sincere and meaningful apology.
Now that you have some ideas on how to take on a few of life’s slip-ups, you will be better equipped for whatever comes your way. Handle what you can with grace and give yourself some room to fix and improve what you can.