An unforced error is defined as a mistake in play that is attributed to one’s own failure rather than to the skill or effort of one’s opponent. You often hear about unforced errors in tennis, like when a player has time to make a clean shot but instead hits the ball into the net. An unforced error can also serve as a life metaphor, especially when we act out of impatience, fear, ego, distraction, or poor self regulation. Examples of life unforced errors include sending an angry text instead of cooling off, ignoring good feedback that could have helped, and procrastinating instead of studying before an upcoming exam. In all three of these examples, it is our own poor decision-making — not anyone else — that prevents us from performing our best.
Minimize unforced errors for greater productivity
When you stop and think about it, many of the stressors we experience in life have to do with our own unforced errors. For example, not leaving in enough time in the morning to avoid traffic, or running late and driving so fast that you cause an accident. Other examples include going into a job interview unprepared and missing an opportunity, driving without realizing your gas tank is nearly empty, and shortchanging your sleep only to find yourself irritable and short-tempered the next day. As you think of these events, consider how much unnecessary stress each of the examples causes — a lost job, worries that you might be stuck on the freeway, relationships damaged because you didn’t get enough rest the night before. None of these things occur because of other people’s actions, or unwinnable life situations, but instead because of poor planning and self-discipline.
From a psychology standpoint, our mental health and performance levels increase by minimizing unforced errors. Just think, less stress and better outcomes based simply on being prepared, aware of situations and surroundings, and being responsible with our planning and actions. Often we look outside the box for ways in which we can improve our mental health, or the success we experience in our jobs and personal life, but in reality so much of self-improvement comes from making smarter life decisions. Being efficient with our schedules and how we go about our days directly impacts our mental health and wellness.
When we allow unforced errors to consume our day, we lose self-confidence, experience more anxiety, and eventually feel mood shifts when we feel like we just aren’t measuring up. When this happens, we often compound matters by creating even more unforced errors — paying bills late, not returning important calls and text messages, turning in sloppy work at school, etc. Life is tough enough, and there are many life hurdles that we simply cannot avoid (i.e. rising taxes, a shrinking job market, stock market fluctuations), making it that much more important to take care of the things we do control.
Final thoughts
Unforced errors don’t just happen in tennis, they happen in life. Take a closer look at how you do each day with conditions and situations that you could handle more responsibly, thereby avoiding unnecessary stress and frustration. While it is impossible to control for every life situation, of course, you might be surprised to learn how much better overall life satisfaction is experienced by mitigating unforced errors. And remember, small gains each day lead to greater self confidence, self-esteem, and overall optimism — all factors found in happy, healthy, productive people.
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