An important client email falls through the cracks; a critical deadline is missed; or a math error is made on important financial statements – whatever the mistake, it’s bad…and you know it.

So what should you do when you’re in this position? And how can you control the damage? Here are some tips:

Don’t Panic.

As a leading employment agency in Houston, Texas, Murray Resources knows that everyone makes mistakes. And if you’re going to deal with the mistake in an effective way, you need to calm down and breathe.

Decide When to Inform Your Boss.

If it’s an emergency situation (for instance, your boss is on his way to a meeting and you told him the wrong address), then you obviously need to let your boss know immediately. However, if the mistake isn’t as pressing, take a bit of time to come up with a solution before informing your boss. That way, you can soften the blow and hopefully redeem yourself a little along the way.

Apologize…But Not Profusely.

Accept responsibility, apologize for the mistake, explain what you will do to correct it, and then move on. Don’t keep apologizing…otherwise, you’ll magnify the error.

Determine What You Can Do in the Future to Avoid Similar Mistakes.

Decide what you can do going forward to avoid making the same mistake twice. Perhaps you need to slow down and check your work more carefully. Maybe there needs to be a formal review process in place for certain important documents. Whatever the case, it’s important to learn from the mistake so you don’t repeat it.

Want to Get Back on Track in Your Career?

If you’ve reached a point of stagnation in your career, and are bored and making silly mistakes as a result, then perhaps it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your career. To get started, read this blog post from Murray Resources titled “Get Back on Track: How to Create a Career Plan.”