Dear STC: I Keep Making Mistakes At My Job. What Should I Do?

Hi Bradley,

I do indeed feel stupid at work. I’m always being told that I miss details and no matter how many times I check and check again my work, it always seems I miss SOMETHING. This has been haunting me since first grade, and right into the work world, I’m 33 and an office worker, and am currently being treated for ADD, though I don’t think the meds are helping.

Only at work do I miss details and get told I make stupid mistakes. I would love to get a job that isn’t detail oriented, but I don’t know what that is. I have lost more jobs than I care to count because of this, and go from one job to the next starting over, only to have it end in the same result, despite putting 649% effort into doing a good job. Yeah, that’s my venting session for the day. =)

Bob

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Hey, Bob –

Thanks for writing.

That sounds very frustrating. I wish I could do something to help you. The best thing, as you say, might indeed be to find a job that is not detail oriented. But you know that’s not going to be easy to find, unless you are parking cars or something like that (but even that requires you to keep track of things).

Is there something else that you are brilliant at? I’ll bet the weakness you struggle with is offset by your true gifts – what are they? Have you taken the time to discover them, and maybe think of ways to make them part of your job or career? I don’t know, just a thought. One thing I am certain of is that you are not stupid! You have just not yet been discovered.

Brad

This is one of a sampling of letters – well, emails really – that I have received from readers of my posts “It’s Okay To Feel Stupid Sometimes” and “Are You Feeling Stupid At Work? I’m Here To Help.” It’s also a chance for you to comment with better advice than what I gave. I mean, what do I know?