When the Guilt keeps us Sharp

We have encountered so many mistakes and failures in our lives, but for some reason, we are able to pick up the pieces and keep on going. Quotes such as practice makes perfect, try and try until you die, or as Yoda said “do or do not, there is no try.” Of course failure is always not an option, but from these failed experiences we actually learn and adapt.

Now there are the usual mistakes in Life, which is easy to rebound from. Then there is what we call actions triggered by bad faith or the impulse to commit something that we know is wrong but we still do it, or worse, plain stubbornness and negligence. Thus, we are guilty of such actions; and why should this be a good thing to happen?

Well, for one, it’s not for us to do it again. But the guilt of committing the said action, prompts us to change our ways, be alert and vigilant in ensuring it does not recur.

Although it is quite honorable or commendable that you take accountability for your actions, but if you keep committing the same thing over and over again, taking accountability will already mean that you are confirming to your superiors that you are not competent enough to address the problem and just keep acknowledging that it is your fault. This is where the guilt should be used to keep ourselves sharp.

We are guilty of some shortcomings and on rare occasions, totally being neglectful of what is expected of us. We are told that this is how things should be done, but we do it differently. (Probably because of familiarity, when we are not used to something being done a particular way, we seem to stick to what we know and resist the changes being suggested) because our belief is that at the end of the day, what matters is the output; if I am able to deliver, then you should no longer question how I brought it there.

But if we are fully aware that we employed a particular tactic or process that is quite unusual, guilty as we are, we should use this as an opportunity to inspect what we expect on how things should be properly executed.

Now here is a dark and evil perspective to this. Of course, when an individual knows that his or her actions are purely criminal in nature, the guilt of doing the said criminal acts makes them sharp in a sense that it keeps them on their toes so as not to be caught. They become very methodological, develops an obsessive-compulsive behavior, and tends to have unbounded attention to detail.

But who says that it only applies to criminals. One can actually acquire these "attributes" if the particular guilt is so overwhelming, that you would do anything at your capacity to clean it up and ensure it does not happen anymore, right?

In other aspects of Life, our guilt keeps us in check in relation to simple tasks such as remembering an anniversary. (You’re guilty of forgetting already, so there is no more room for debate, just stay focused for a year and save the date for next year.)

So when the guilt arises, it’s a sign that you should stay sharp moving forward.

“Guilt is the price we pay willingly for doing what we are going to do anyway” – Isabelle Holland