How to Recover from a Really Bad Call

Everyone makes mistakes. Here’s how to move past regret, repair your rep—and heal yourself.

- By Kelsey Haywood Lucas

LET’S GET REAL: Everyone messes up now and again. And whether you’re a first-time offender or you’ve made more lapses in judgment than you’d like to admit, it’s never too late to salvage your personal brand—and, more importantly, fix the way you feel about yourself.

THE ISSUE:

YOU GOT CAUGHT IN A LIE You told your bud you’re stuck babysitting your sibs and can’t make your standing Saturday afternoon yoga date. Truth is, you’re hitting the ice rink with a fun new friend you met skiing over Christmas break. You didn’t think anything of it…until your friend saw you tagged in pics.

THE REMEDY: Yikes. Lying is never OK and can be particularly hurtful to a good bud. Dishonesty makes you seem untrustworthy...and who wants a friend like that? If you’re caught, immediately come clean and offer a heartfelt apology. Explain why you weren’t upfront in the first place, then promise to be truthful from here on out. And make sure that’s no lie.

THE ISSUE: