To err is human but it is also a bit shameful. This is why we go out of our way to cover up our mistakes by lying or denying they happened.

Sometimes, we are so busy trying to minimize our mistakes that we miss out on the lessons. Sadly, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!

The easiest way to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again is to learn the lesson the first time around! How do you do that? By identifying the mistake, taking responsibility, apologizing and making things right.

Identify the Mistake

It is extremely hard, if not impossible, to learn the lesson if you do not identify the mistake. Your spouse may bring it to your attention or you may identify it through a little bit of soul searching.

Admit the Mistake

If you’ve made a mistake and you want to save your relationship, tell the truth. Putting the blame on someone else or hiding it can only make things worse.

If you have ever had someone refuse to admit fault when they have clearly wronged you, you know how hurtful it can be. You don’t want your spouse getting stuck on your unadmitted fault since it can stop them from moving on.

As long as your marriage is built on trust, you should feel safe enough to admit your wrongs to your spouse. Also, admitting that your wrongs can go a long way to defuse your partner’s anger.

Accept the Consequences

Mistakes have consequences and just because you deserve to be forgiven doesn’t mean you won’t have to face the consequences of your actions. For instance, if you have done something to break your husband’s or wife’s trust, he or she may subject you to more careful scrutiny the next time a similar situation arises.

Apologize

Apologizing effectively is a skill that every couple has to learn so as to have a healthy relationship. It involves accepting full responsibility for your actions without making excuses or making it seem as if the situation was out of your control. It also involves making a commitment to make amends and not repeat the same mistake in the future.

Make Amends

Making amends can be as simple as going back to the store to pick up an item that you previously forgot or as complex as rebuilding broken trust in your marriage. Either way, it is doable. If there is anything you can do to get rid of the unfavorable consequences of your mistake, you owe it to your partner to try and make things right.

Do Not Repeat

All the above steps are critical in ensuring you do not repeat the mistake. After all, it is rather hard to repeat a mistake for which you have suffered the consequences and had to go out of your way to rectify the situation. The last thing you would want after working hard to regain your partner’s trust is to break it again.

When you handle mistakes in your marriage correctly, you are less likely to repeat them. Try this simple advice the next time you wrong your wife or husband.