We’ve all had those moments of putting our foot right royally in it. Saying the wrong thing in front of an important client. Blurting out something we shouldn’t. Mis-reading the situation with a key buyer and getting it really wrong. And when it happens it feels awful. Your face and neck go hot and red, your stomach plummets, you freeze and inside all you can feel is sheer unadulterated panic. You are a rabbit stuck in headlights, blinking and unable to move.

So, what should we do when we mess up?

Here are my top five tips on how to recover gracefully and with your dignity intact.

Having a Chinese mother meant that I grew up thinking that money was never something to be awkward about. Of course, not all Chinese mums are the same, but my mum would never buy anything without asking for a discount, she would barter in Marks & Spencer and use her considerable charm, wile and the chutzpah to get the very best deal possible.

In my work as creative mentor and leadership coach, I often come across people who are uncomfortable at the thought of talking about their achievements for fear of looking arrogant or appearing boastful. These are people who are otherwise ambitious, driven and talented but instantly clam up when asked to talk about what they are proud of and what they have to offer. They know they have to be able sell themselves to get new jobs or that promotion but just can’t do it without feeling awkward.

So, how do you boast about yourself without feeling that you are showing off? Here are my tips….

The tribe I love coaching and mentoring most are what I call the Self-Critical Over-Achievers. Of course, a true Self-Critical Over-Achiever won’t actually self-identify as one because they won’t believe they over-achieve!

How do you know if you are a Self-Critical Over-Achiever?

Here are my criteria…

I think 50 is an age when you have decades of professional and life experience, hard acquired skills and a whole lot of achievements that you've probably thrown them over your shoulder without a second glance (but they are there). It can also be a time when you care less what people think about you - very liberating and are more confident to speak your truth.

The question is - what are you going to do with all that?