What's the Intention Behind Mistakes?

In today’s digital world, the concept of “cancel culture” has become commonplace. But when do we give grace instead of canceling? Are these just simple mistakes? That’s what’s up on The Monthly Hustle as we start the year.

How far do we take it? When should cancel come into play? And how do we know someone's intent versus a misunderstanding? 

Cancel culture is a form of boycotting and public shaming that aims to punish people for making mistakes or expressing unpopular opinions. 

But beyond its outward appearance, what is the underlying intention behind cancel culture? 

First, let's look at public mistakes and private mistakes. What's the difference?

What Are Public Mistakes?

Public mistakes are usually ones that a lot of people see or hear. 

They can be things that someone famous says that are not true, or something offensive that someone in a position of power says.

A Real Life Example: 

When former CEO of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy made statements in 2012 that many people did not agree with, customers stopped buying Chick-fil-A products in large numbers. 

After months of negative press and sales, Cathy stepped down as CEO in 2020. This example shows how cancel culture can impact business and consumers' purchasing decisions–publically.

What Are Private Mistakes?

Private mistakes happen between people who know each other, like family or friends. These kinds of mistakes often happen because people misunderstand each other or have different opinions. But they don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings on purpose. 

So instead of getting mad at the person, it's better to talk to them and try to understand why they did what they did.

For instance, if a friend accidentally says something hurtful during an argument it might be more productive to talk through their feelings afterward rather than calling them out on social media for their mistake; doing so could help foster greater understanding between you two and prevent unnecessary damage from being done in the future.  

So, What Was the Intent?                                               

Cancel culture exists when people are too quick to judge others for their mistakes. Sometimes it is hard to tell if someone made a mistake on purpose or by accident. But it is important to think before reacting. This can help the situation become better instead of worse.

Plot Twist: Humans Start Giving Grace

Making mistakes is part of being human. Some mistakes are bigger than others. It can be hard to tell the difference between a big mistake and a small one. That's why it's important to be careful when offering grace instead of cancelation.

Here are five tips for giving someone grace:

1) Start by giving the situation involved a chance to explain itself and its actions before jumping straight into cancelation mode. Everyone deserves an opportunity to explain what happened and why they did what they did. 

2) Try not to take things too personally; try seeing things from another person’s perspective before immediately lashing out in anger or frustration. 

3) Don't forget your values; if you believe in second chances and forgiveness then you should always act accordingly and extend the same courtesy you would want extended unto yourself in similar circumstances. 

4) Remember that everyone is on their own journey; while some may no longer be interested in learning from or fixing their mistake(s), others might still be willing and/or eager to do so if given enough time and space.  

5) Last but not least, don't forget about yourself—the TRUE giver—in all this; remember that you don't always have responsibility for other people’s mistakes. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is simply to walk away without judgment or bitterness in your heart.

And remember what I always say:

I hope these tips will help you make better decisions about when to extend grace or issue a cancellation!

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