Don’t beat yourself up too much for past mistakes. Rubbing your nose in them once in a while is necessary, though, because remembering them soberly can keep you from repeating them. Remembering how foolish you were in the past can prevent you from being such a fool now.

It also keeps you humble. Ignoring past failure is likely to make you self-righteous—quick to excuse your own shortcomings while slow to forgive others for theirs. Forgive yourself, but don’t forget there has been much to pardon.