Logan Laplante has an untraditional education when his parents took him out of the established education system to be home schooled. This 13-year old calls it "hack school", the ability to tailor his education to his interests and his style of learning. 

One of his primary goals is simple and profound, to be happy. He talks about doing things that he likes and hopefully it will become a career. He's not hung up on limiting thoughts of making mistakes along the way.  His youthful energy focuses on why our current education system doesn't take you along the path to be happy both professionally and personally.

Pragmatic (or arguably more negative) folks such as Chuck Wendig say, "Failure is an instruction manual written in scar tissue." However, those with a more optimistic outlook like Tony Robbins say, "Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human." Miles Davis had an interesting take on mistakes that they don't exist since they are a natural course of advancement.

Nobody likes to make mistakes at least consciously. Though, we make them all the time and that's okay. Yet, not executing action is the same as making a mistake. Inaction is really a mistake by default. Sometimes I'm put in the "measure once cut twice" category. But, I firmly believe by just "doing things" as opposed to thinking about them, is on average, more productive. Whatever you do, don't form a committee!

Consider making the following mistakes:

• Not seeking a designation with the Appraisal Institute (certification by your state is the pinnacle of your career)
• Ignoring efficiencies with commercial appraisal software solutions (who has time for that?)
• Delaying implementation of appraisal workflow systems (I'm not even sure what workflow system means)
• Avoid networking with prospective new appraisal customers (people don't actually talk face-to-face anymore do they?)
• Decline to give public speeches to increase your exposure (why be the center of attention?)
• Don't do employee reviews of your appraisers and support staff (they love the lack of feedback)

Be happy as a commercial real estate appraiser professional. Once you're motivated to learn something, you can get a lot done in a short amount of time. "Mash up" your education from various formal and informal sources. Opportunistic flexibility never loses sight of making sure being happy, healthy and creative is a priority. It's a mindset not a system. Experiment and make mistakes.