On making mistakes during a economic slump

 I may have never been so worried in my life than I am right now.  During a time when the economy is struggling, and everyone is watching their expenditures, money has become a precious commodity.   The risk that you might not see any returns on an investment is so great, that many would be investors are now holding onto their money.  I work in a field that depends on the clientele trusting the service I provide.  That client  then comes back with more work or refers me to other prospective clients.  I have come to realize that making mistakes during such a economic period, not only looks bad, but has a magnifying effect.  In general no one likes to lose money, but during a downturn in the economy, people are even less tolerant of the idea.  So when I make a mistake on a project, no matter how small or minute, to the investor, that mistake equates to total incompetence, and therefore the withdrawal of work.  I know this is basic stuff, makes sense that no one would want to invest in someone who makes mistakes.  But I do believe that if the economy was doing better, then there would be a little bit more breathing room, so space for wiggling.  It is very scary experiencing this first hand, to have someone completely lose all faith in your abilities, which then threatens your ability to get more work and survive this bump in our economy.  It is a very rough time, a lot of people are getting laid off for lesser offenses than what i have done.  I never thought that a time like this would occur.  I started college and things were doing ok, not great, but nothing i was worried about.  Now that I have graduated, I guess I was just not prepared for such events.  I still don't think I'm prepared but then again how would one prepare for such an awkward and unsettling time