There's no need to draw attention to a mistake that makes no difference!
“"I spoke with João yesterday... actually, it was the day before yesterday."”
“"I've been working with this for ten years... I mean, eleven."”
“"She joined the company in March... actually, at the very beginning of April."”
Do you realize what happened?
The conversation seemed to be choppy the whole time.
This happened a lot on the radio.
We'd stumble over a word or make a mistake in a detail that didn't change the message at all... and we'd stop everything to correct it.
Over time I learned a basic rule.
There's no need to draw attention to a mistake that makes no difference!
When you interrupt yourself to correct every detail, you take the focus away from the idea and shine a spotlight on the mistake.
Of course, there are exceptions. If you gave the wrong value, the wrong name, or information that changes the understanding, correct it.
Now, if it's a detail that doesn't change the message, move on. Go ahead.
Those who are listening are interested in the story, the idea, the argument.
The person who is worried about making a mistake is usually the one who is speaking.
In our next conversation, try this: before correcting a minor detail, read the sentence to the end. Then tell me if anyone noticed the correction.