Mistakes make me feel insane.

Anonymous

September 25,2022 at 8:15PM UTC

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Mistakes make me feel insane.

I've been at my job for 3 years. Lately every time I turn around I'm making a mistake about paperwork. The mistakes I'm making I know better but it seems like no matter what I try I can't stop making more of these mistakes. And it makes it worse is that my mistakes are being put in the community comments for other staff to see. I feel so overwhelmed and guilty that I want to quit just so I don't have to see every one and feel like they are judging me because I feel like there is this sign hanging over me "can't do paperwork properly".

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AnonymousSeptember 25,2022 at 9:27PM UTC
Have you been tested recently for ADHD or a learning disability that might have cropped up in your adult years? Something may have become a factor.
Heather CutlerSeptember 25,2022 at 10:48PM UTC
What steps are you taking to edit and proof your work? Might be worth taking a quick inventory of your mistakes: are they mathematical calculations, grammar & punctuation issues or are you not communicating clearly? If the mistakes are concentrated in one area, that’s where I’d focus my attention. If these are calculation issues, I’d set up formulas in excel to double check your work. Word and Outlook both call out spelling and grammar issues in bright red.
You need to take immediate steps to address your work product if these issues are being called out publicly. If you can’t figure out corrective steps on you own, please for the sake of your job, get on a remediation plan with your boss or HR so you can demonstrate proactivity in addressing this problems. Best of luck in your next steps.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 12:45AM UTC
My paperwork is with meds in a slow paced home all paper. All my meds gets passed and I have the book out with me. And we are supposed to have it signed within 24 hours in case we do forget but I'm never getting told so I can fix it till I see in in the comments sometimes 3-5 days when I come back in. If food isn't cut up small enough it's getting posted with it addressed to me so everyone knows who to blame. And I have notes but when I sit down to do them it's like my brain lockes up. These are mistakes I never used to make and now I can't seem to stop making them.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 11:29AM UTC
You may just be burnt out and need a break. These don't sound like minor mistakes. People could be hurt by them. Licenses could be on the line, along with funding. They are posting them 1) so other staff know to double-check your work and 2) to document everything for the investigation if someone ends up with a reportable event. You need to figure out what's going on with you or you need to look for another job where mistakes really can be minor and won't make a difference.
Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LSeptember 26,2022 at 2:24AM UTC
What mistakes are you making, for instance, grammatical, data entry, etc.? It's common to learn from mistakes. You can probably address the issues by:
1). Please pay attention to detail ( Give your work all the attention it needs).
2). Suppose there are any unnecessary distractions. Let them go.
3). Create a checklist
4). Double check your work for the same errors you have made.
Shelly EdwardsSeptember 26,2022 at 2:30PM UTC
Everyone makes mistakes so don't be so hard on yourself. It happens. Take a minute to assess why you might be making mistakes - are you distracted? are you rushed in your work? do you have personal stresses that are taking away focus from your job?, etc. Find the answer and work to correct that problem so that you aren't making as many mistakes. In the meantime, take more time before you submit the paperwork to review it. Make sure you have the details completed and then submit. Don't quit, just reassess what is really going on and work to resolve it.
Jennifer PuckettSeptember 26,2022 at 5:59PM UTC
You've gotten some great advice so far, but I'd like to add, please don't be so brutally hard on yourself. If your best friend or child came to you with this problem how would you respond?
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 27,2022 at 3:32AM UTC
So here's the thing - no one is perfect. Literally no one. Please stop beating yourself up for not hitting some completely unattainable standard.
Exhale, slow down, double check your work.
What you would tell a friend or co-worker if they told you what you just told us? My guess is that you would tell them to not worry about it, that everyone makes mistakes, that no one is perfect. And you'd be right.
I suggest you extend the same grace to yourself.