---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My view was that if you're going to make…"
description: "\"My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your predictions, make sure you make them the right way. Don't put yourself into a situation wher..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg"
---

#  My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your…

![“My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your predictions, make sure you make them the right way. Don't put yourself into a situation where, in fact, you say you're going to do something, and then all of a sudden you can't.” quote by Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg)

> “My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your predictions, make sure you make them the right way. Don't put yourself into a situation where, in fact, you say you're going to do something, and then all of a sudden you can't.”

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When predicting, accept errors but ensure they stem from deliberate, thoughtful choices rather than careless oversight.

**In simple terms:** Accept mistakes but make them intentional.

Key Takeaway

Plan carefully before committing.

Themes

decisionmaking responsibility integrity

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

advisory philosophical

When to use this quote

- project planning
- financial forecasting
- personal goals
- team leadership

Key Concepts

risk management strategic thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance caution with decisive action?
- When is a mistake acceptable?

A Different Perspective

Over‑emphasis on correctness can paralyze action.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Predictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictions/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/)

## Related quotes

> [most economists, like doctors, are reluctant to make predictions, and those who make them are seldom accurate. The economy, like the human body, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-rivlin/most-economists-like-doctors-are-reluctant-to-make-predictions-and/)

[Alice Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-rivlin/)

> [After 20-plus years of looking purely from an individuals point of view as a player, now I have to look at it from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-heskey/after-20-plus-years-of-looking-purely-from-an-individuals-point-of/)

[Emile Heskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-heskey/)

> [To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/to-help-yourself-you-must-be-yourself-be-the-best-that-you-can-be/)

[Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/)

> [Treat people who make mistakes the way you would want GOD to deal with you when you make a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/treat-people-who-make-mistakes-the-way-you-would-want-god-to-deal/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Everybody makes mistakes. You have to be careful when you make your mistakes. Now is not a good time to make a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-markakis/everybody-makes-mistakes-you-have-to-be-careful-when-you-make-your/)

Nick Markakis

> [“Every woman should make one mistake matrimonially. - Alex Restarick”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/every-woman-should-make-one-mistake-matrimonially-alex-restarick/)

[Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/)

> [If you make a mistake, it doesn't mean you're a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/if-you-make-a-mistake-it-doesn-t-mean-you-re-a-mistake/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [No one knows anything. You're going to make mistakes and you're going to do things that people think are stupid. You can't sit there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hader/no-one-knows-anything-you-re-going-to-make-mistakes-and-you-re-going/)

[Bill Hader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hader/)

> [Don't make the mistake of thinking you're Facebook's customer, you're not – you're the product,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-schneier/don-t-make-the-mistake-of-thinking-you-re-facebook-s-customer-you-re/)

[Bruce Schneier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-schneier/)

> [If I make a mistake, I’m going to make a mistake aggressively and I’m going to make it quickly. I don’t believe in sleeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo/if-i-make-a-mistake-i-m-going-to-make-a-mistake-aggressively-and-i-m/)

Bo

> [When you make a mistake, you have to admit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petr-cech/when-you-make-a-mistake-you-have-to-admit-it/)

[Petr Cech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petr-cech/)

> [“Make no mistake, I will hurt you to protect you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-d-reiss/make-no-mistake-i-will-hurt-you-to-protect-you/)

[C.D. Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-d-reiss/)

> [My mother taught me this trick: if you repeat something over and over again it loses its meaning, for example homework homework homework homework…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mother-taught-me-this-trick-if-you-repeat-something-over-and-over/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“To make a mistake is only human; to persist in a mistake is idiotic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cicero/to-make-a-mistake-is-only-human-to-persist-in-a-mistake-is-idiotic/)

[Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cicero/)

> [If loving you is a big mistake, I will never ever want to be right,i will always make the same mistake over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horla/if-loving-you-is-a-big-mistake-i-will-never-ever-want-to-be-right-i/)

[Horla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horla/)

## More by Paul Martin

> [The fact is the statements are perfectly consistent, but more importantly, I don't have all the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/the-fact-is-the-statements-are-perfectly-consistent-but-more/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [We, as Canadians, have no hesitation lecturing the rest of the world on what they should be doing, how they shouldn't discriminate, and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/we-as-canadians-have-no-hesitation-lecturing-the-rest-of-the-world-on/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [If we do not step forward, then we step back. If we do not protect a right, then we deny it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/if-we-do-not-step-forward-then-we-step-back-if-we-do-not-protect-a/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [One of the first things that the First Nations are going to have to decide is, is it going to 640 communities, or is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/one-of-the-first-things-that-the-first-nations-are-going-to-have-to/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [Most Canadians previously had no idea what went on in the residential schools. You tell Canadians the last one closed in 1996, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/most-canadians-previously-had-no-idea-what-went-on-in-the-residential/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [“If heterosexual people can get married then gay and lesbian people can get married too”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/if-heterosexual-people-can-get-married-then-gay-and-lesbian-people/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [I rise in support of a Canada in which liberties are safeguarded, rights are protected and the people of this land are treated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/i-rise-in-support-of-a-canada-in-which-liberties-are-safeguarded/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [Canadians would not tolerate it if they really knew there was a whole generation of aboriginal Canadians who have a chance at a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/canadians-would-not-tolerate-it-if-they-really-knew-there-was-a-whole/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [If you take a look at the breaches of rights, whether it's the underfunding of education or health care, and all these issues which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/if-you-take-a-look-at-the-breaches-of-rights-whether-it-s-the/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [“But hold fast. Before you become too flushed at the prospect of starring nightly in your own private pornographic films, there are limitations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/but-hold-fast-before-you-become-too-flushed-at-the-prospect-of/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [The vicious circle has been shattered. Canadians now enjoy the benefits of the virtuous circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/the-vicious-circle-has-been-shattered-canadians-now-enjoy-the/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [Every Canadian who wants to learn should have the opportunity to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/every-canadian-who-wants-to-learn-should-have-the-opportunity-to-do-so/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [ It's very clear that we are going to have 10 different \[abortion\] laws and that we are going to have these laws made by judges ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/it-s-very-clear-that-we-are-going-to-have-10-different-abortion-laws/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [Our veterans connect generations and Canadians. As a country and as individuals, we gain in pride and in purpose from their deeds and their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/our-veterans-connect-generations-and-canadians-as-a-country-and-as/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

> [I rise today in support of Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act. I rise in support of a Canada in which liberties are safeguarded,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/i-rise-today-in-support-of-bill-c-38-the-civil-marriage-act-i-rise-in/)

[Paul Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

[Explore all 44 Paul Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/)

## More Failure quotes

> [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/)

[Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/)

> [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/)

[Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/)

> [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/)

[Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/)

> [“Rhiannon's Law #28: If you're going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rhiannon-s-law-28-if-you-re-going-to-fuck-up-be-sure-to-fuck-up-good/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/)

[Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/)

> [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/)

[Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/)

> [First action was a mistake. What about the second? third? fourth and fifth?...Mehn you are bad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-action-was-a-mistake-what-about-the-second-third-fourth-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/)

[Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/)

> [“Our failure to understand another being's inner reality doesn't make that reality any less real, or any less valuable to that being. (p.255)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-schulz/our-failure-to-understand-another-being-s-inner-reality-doesn-t-make/)

[Kathryn Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-schulz/)

> [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/)

[Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/)

> [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/)

[Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/)

> [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/)

[Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/)

> [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/)

[Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/)

> [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 27,498 Failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your predictions, make sure you make them the right way. Don't put yourself into a situation where, in fact, you say you're going to do something, and then all of a sudden you can't.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Paul Martin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make-a-mistake-in-your/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Failure"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make-a-mistake-in-your/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/paul-martin-15075_failure_my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make_2656928.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My view was that if you're going to make a mistake in your predictions, make sure you make them the right…” — Paul Martin",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Paul Martin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-martin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My view was that if you're...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make-a-mistake-in-your/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-martin/my-view-was-that-if-you-re-going-to-make-a-mistake-in-your/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
