Small mistakes often grow into larger problems when we refuse to admit them. This is not about the error itself, but about what we do next. A misstep in judgment, a poorly worded message, or a missed deadline may seem trivial at the time—but if we fail to acknowledge it, the ripple effects can multiply. The decisions we make after a mistake can matter more than the error itself.
Cognitive Biases That Amplify Mistakes
Two common cognitive biases can turn minor errors into significant issues: the sunk cost fallacy and escalation of commitment.
Sunk Cost Fallacy
When someone invests time, money, or emotion into a decision—such as purchasing a stock that has declined in value—they may continue to hold onto it, hoping to recover losses. This is a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy. As Dr. Ira Bedzow explains, the past investment does not change the future outcome. Continuing to invest only increases risk, not recovery.
Similar dynamics play out in personal relationships. Imagine sharing an unflattering story about a friend. Halfway through, you realize it might be inappropriate. Instead of stopping, you think, ‘I’ve already said part of it. I can end it nicely.’ This doesn’t erase the harm. It simply delays accountability and expands the damage. The mistake isn’t undone—it’s just postponed and made more visible in its consequences.
Psychologists have long observed that people treat past investments as emotional anchors. This creates a psychological inertia that resists change. The deeper the initial commitment—whether in time, emotion, or reputation—the harder it becomes to let go. As one researcher notes, ‘We don’t just evaluate outcomes; we evaluate the effort we’ve already poured in.’
Escalation of Commitment
Escalation of commitment occurs when a person doubles down on a failing course of action to avoid admitting a mistake. For instance, someone tells a small white lie. When questioned, they respond with a bigger lie to protect the first one. What began as a minor wrongdoing becomes a serious breach of honesty.
Dr. Ira Bedzow reflects on how this pattern often emerges when self-image is at stake. ‘When we fear being seen as incompetent or flawed, we may choose to justify our actions rather than confront them,’ he says. Each attempt to rationalize the behavior makes it more difficult to admit error, and the behavior itself becomes more entrenched.
Research in organizational psychology shows that leaders often fall into this trap. A strategy that fails early may be continued not because it’s effective, but because stopping would signal failure. As one study observes, ‘The more effort invested, the greater the emotional cost of admitting error.’ This dynamic is especially strong when decisions were made under pressure or with incomplete information.
Recognizing Mistakes Before They Grow
Realizing we’ve made a mistake is the first step to fixing it. But it’s often hard to catch ourselves in the moment. As author Kathryn Schulz explains in her 2011 TED Talk, ‘It does feel like something to be wrong; it feels like being right.’ Only when things go wrong do we become aware of our ‘error blindness’ and experience the discomfort that comes with realizing we were wrong.
But there’s a better path. Instead of waiting for failure, we can pause and ask: ‘What assumptions am I making? What might I be missing?’ In moments when our choices don’t seem to be serving us, we can reflect on our thinking. We can ask: ‘What would I do differently if I didn’t already commit to this decision?’ This kind of self-inquiry is not about self-criticism—it’s about cognitive clarity.
Why Cognitive Flexibility Matters
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to shift thinking when a situation isn’t working. It means recognizing that each moment is a new decision point. We don’t need to wait for consequences to unfold. We can change course and reduce harm.
Dr. Ira Bedzow, who writes about decision-making, shares a personal experience: he has made mistakes that grew worse because he delayed admitting them. He now practices cognitive flexibility to prevent this. He notes that past decisions set context—but they do not determine the future. We can choose to respond differently, even after a mistake.
For example, in one instance, he made a misjudgment in a professional conversation that led to a strained relationship. Instead of defending his position, he paused, acknowledged the error, and offered a sincere explanation. This small act of humility prevented a larger conflict and restored trust.
How to Apply This in Daily Life
- Pause before reacting when a decision feels off.
- Ask: ‘What assumptions am I making?’
- Consider: ‘What would I do if I didn’t already commit to this?’
- Admit errors early—even if it feels uncomfortable.
These steps don’t require perfection. They require awareness and a willingness to adjust. Mistakes are inevitable. What matters is how we respond to them. With self-awareness and flexibility, we can prevent errors from growing into larger problems.
For more on how decisions shape our lives, see the original source: Don’t Let Small Mistakes Become Big Ones.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: original publisher image. Via original publisher. Image source
