Why do I keep making silly mistakes at my new job? [update]

[chelle21689]

I just started my new job almost 4 weeks ago. I really like it so far and it is the best job I've had. Higher pay, better benefits, less hours, free tuition, etc. anyways, everyone says I am catching on quick, independent, take iniative, and I seem to get along with everyone so far. So I definitely want to keep my job.

 

I've been making so many stupid mistakes at this job. Like typos with names, wrong dates, misspellings, inputting wrong info to the wrong person, etc. I know how to do my job but I've been making stupid mistakes that could've been easily prevented if I slowed down and double check. I never made this many mistakes in my life!! I have no idea why I'm doing this...maybe because I'm not used to data entry work? But even then I keep making mistakes that are so stupid and embarrassing!

 

Earlier this week I tried to double check my work. Turns out I don't know how to do some stuff as well as I thought so I'm sticking with the step by step guide binder we have until I master it. I can't make any more errors to seem incompetent and careless... I told my trainer I felt horrible and will do better by double checking and stuff. So I am really hoping this cuts down errors.

 

Why am I making so many mistakes? I've held a similar role before. Anyone have stories where they did poorly and improve? All I need to do is stop making damn typos and crap....

[Satu]

"Slow down and double check."

 

There's your solution from your very own thinking.

 

Relax.

 

 

Take care.

[d0nnivain]

Any new situation presents a learning curve. Slow down. Double check your work. Remind yourself you don't know everything.

[Mind-Chants]

I just started my new job almost 4 weeks ago. I really like it so far and it is the best job I've had. Higher pay, better benefits, less hours, free tuition, etc. anyways, everyone says I am catching on quick, independent, take iniative, and I seem to get along with everyone so far. So I definitely want to keep my job.

 

I've been making so many stupid mistakes at this job. Like typos with names, wrong dates, misspellings, inputting wrong info to the wrong person, etc. I know how to do my job but I've been making stupid mistakes that could've been easily prevented if I slowed down and double check. I never made this many mistakes in my life!! I have no idea why I'm doing this...maybe because I'm not used to data entry work? But even then I keep making mistakes that are so stupid and embarrassing!

 

Earlier this week I tried to double check my work. Turns out I don't know how to do some stuff as well as I thought so I'm sticking with the step by step guide binder we have until I master it. I can't make any more errors to seem incompetent and careless... I told my trainer I felt horrible and will do better by double checking and stuff. So I am really hoping this cuts down errors.

 

Why am I making so many mistakes? I've held a similar role before. Anyone have stories where they did poorly and improve? All I need to do is stop making damn typos and crap....

 

There is a big difference between a mistake and a silly mistake.

 

Silly Mistakes are due to lack of focus and attention to job at hand. Like you mentioned typos, wrong date are something that need to be avoided in professional context.

 

Data Entry Job is high on visual stimulus. They demand high level of attention to details. Minor distractions could affect your performance. If there are distractions at workplace, try to remove/avoid them.

 

The working memory which is responsible for all kind cognitive tasks has limited capacity. It takes inputs from sensory registers (like visual, auditory, olfactory etc), short term memory and long term memory. Mistakes happen when we have multiple inputs in that limited spam. Particularly at new workplaces, where many of the things around are new, we get distracted and lose a big chunk of the working memory towards these undesirable inputs. Distraction is mostly due to our enhanced attention allocation to unfamiliar (new) surroundings. New places could be intimidating and there could be some distractions. Why this doesn’t happen at old workplaces??? Simple Answer: Habituation. When you start living near an airport, you hear them and get distracted every time they fly by. But after sometime we get habituated and don’t even realize that they just flew by.

 

On a side note, as d0nnivain mentioned about learning curve, things would get better with time. It's better to use the SOPs while doing new jobs.

 

Good Luck.

[whichwayisup]

I just started my new job almost 4 weeks ago. I really like it so far and it is the best job I've had. Higher pay, better benefits, less hours, free tuition, etc. anyways, everyone says I am catching on quick, independent, take iniative, and I seem to get along with everyone so far. So I definitely want to keep my job.

 

I've been making so many stupid mistakes at this job. Like typos with names, wrong dates, misspellings, inputting wrong info to the wrong person, etc. I know how to do my job but I've been making stupid mistakes that could've been easily prevented if I slowed down and double check. I never made this many mistakes in my life!! I have no idea why I'm doing this...maybe because I'm not used to data entry work? But even then I keep making mistakes that are so stupid and embarrassing!

 

Earlier this week I tried to double check my work. Turns out I don't know how to do some stuff as well as I thought so I'm sticking with the step by step guide binder we have until I master it. I can't make any more errors to seem incompetent and careless... I told my trainer I felt horrible and will do better by double checking and stuff. So I am really hoping this cuts down errors.

 

Why am I making so many mistakes? I've held a similar role before. Anyone have stories where they did poorly and improve? All I need to do is stop making damn typos and crap....

 

Ask for help. Don't just rely on the guide binder.

 

Slow down and don't rush through your work. Really pay attention to details, fact check, double check and then check again.

[chelle21689]

There is a big difference between a mistake and a silly mistake.

 

Silly Mistakes are due to lack of focus and attention to job at hand. Like you mentioned typos, wrong date are something that need to be avoided in professional context.

 

Data Entry Job is high on visual stimulus. They demand high level of attention to details. Minor distractions could affect your performance. If there are distractions at workplace, try to remove/avoid them.

 

The working memory which is responsible for all kind cognitive tasks has limited capacity. It takes inputs from sensory registers (like visual, auditory, olfactory etc), short term memory and long term memory. Mistakes happen when we have multiple inputs in that limited spam. Particularly at new workplaces, where many of the things around are new, we get distracted and lose a big chunk of the working memory towards these undesirable inputs. Distraction is mostly due to our enhanced attention allocation to unfamiliar (new) surroundings. New places could be intimidating and there could be some distractions. Why this doesn’t happen at old workplaces??? Simple Answer: Habituation. When you start living near an airport, you hear them and get distracted every time they fly by. But after sometime we get habituated and don’t even realize that they just flew by.

 

On a side note, as d0nnivain mentioned about learning curve, things would get better with time. It's better to use the SOPs while doing new jobs.

 

Good Luck.

 

Yes, my job does have distractions like phones ringing and walk ins in our office. A lot of interruptions. What is SOP?

[Maddieandtae]

SOP - Standard Operating Procedures

[Almond_Joy]

There is a big difference between a mistake and a silly mistake.

 

Silly Mistakes are due to lack of focus and attention to job at hand. Like you mentioned typos, wrong date are something that need to be avoided in professional context.

 

Data Entry Job is high on visual stimulus. They demand high level of attention to details. Minor distractions could affect your performance. If there are distractions at workplace, try to remove/avoid them.

 

The working memory which is responsible for all kind cognitive tasks has limited capacity. It takes inputs from sensory registers (like visual, auditory, olfactory etc), short term memory and long term memory. Mistakes happen when we have multiple inputs in that limited spam. Particularly at new workplaces, where many of the things around are new, we get distracted and lose a big chunk of the working memory towards these undesirable inputs. Distraction is mostly due to our enhanced attention allocation to unfamiliar (new) surroundings. New places could be intimidating and there could be some distractions. Why this doesn’t happen at old workplaces??? Simple Answer: Habituation. When you start living near an airport, you hear them and get distracted every time they fly by. But after sometime we get habituated and don’t even realize that they just flew by.

 

On a side note, as d0nnivain mentioned about learning curve, things would get better with time. It's better to use the SOPs while doing new jobs.

 

Good Luck.

 

Second this, I've always been an accurate speller, particular about grammar, attentive to detail.

 

Then I worked for a sales department. Phone calls every few minutes, meetings, contracts, emergency situations that required dropping everything at the drop of a hat.

 

I'd forget where I left off on an open file on my computer or an email in minutes. Forget whole words in sentences, miss letters, .....point is the busier the environment was with distractions, the more silly mistakes I made.

 

 

So...email spell check is awesome, forces you to stop and check things before sending.

 

I also recommend that if you have to leave a task and then come back to it, take 5 - 10 seconds to look at the work and remind yourself where you left off.

 

Following a reference manual for processes is very effective, which you're already doing.

 

Good luck. As you get more accustomed to the work flow, things will seem less hectic and new, and it will be easier to dip in and out of tasks without "losing your spot", so to speak.

[anika99]

I was also going to say that this sounds like a matter of staying focused. There are normal mistakes people make when learning new things, but silly mistakes that you should know better than to make occur because of being rushed or not focussing. Are you able to concentrate? Do you let your mind wander while you are working?

 

 

I actually have the opposite problem in that I rarely make mistakes as I am super conscientious and will go over my work with a fine tooth comb before I am satisfied but this has the effect of making me look less productive than others. Everyone else works faster than me but they also make far more mistakes than I do. So everyone else gets in sh*t for their mistakes and I get in sh*t for being too slow. LOL

Edited March 19, 2016 by anika99

[chelle21689]

I've really never made this many errrors in work before. I think it's a combination of stress (being afraid to mess up and lose the job so I mess up even more) and constant interruptions when I have a ton of work to do. It's something I can't avoid when I have to constantly answer phone calls and handle walk-ins with questions.

 

My trainer advised me to tell them to hold and finish up what I'm doing where I can leave off if I have to.

 

I think my work piled up so fast when I first started and no one was around to guide me because my trainer went on break so I had all my errors that week which are finally catching up to me ONE by ONE. They were over confident in me because they thought I took initiative and was such a fast learner and was often left alone. My errors didn't not come all at once where I can get it over with and start a clean new slate which makes it worse. I've been triple checking my work now and catching my errors before submitting it to her but I fear it's hard for her to notice improvement if my old errors are catching up to me.

[Mind-Chants]

I've really never made this many errrors in work before. I think it's a combination of stress (being afraid to mess up and lose the job so I mess up even more) and constant interruptions when I have a ton of work to do. It's something I can't avoid when I have to constantly answer phone calls and handle walk-ins with questions.

 

My trainer advised me to tell them to hold and finish up what I'm doing where I can leave off if I have to.

 

I think my work piled up so fast when I first started and no one was around to guide me because my trainer went on break so I had all my errors that week which are finally catching up to me ONE by ONE. They were over confident in me because they thought I took initiative and was such a fast learner and was often left alone. My errors didn't not come all at once where I can get it over with and start a clean new slate which makes it worse. I've been triple checking my work now and catching my errors before submitting it to her but I fear it's hard for her to notice improvement if my old errors are catching up to me.

 

What's done is done. Think of it a new beginning. Now you are aware that distractions and anxiety are the reasons for your situation, act in a positive way. When ever you are distracted, take few moments to gather your thoughts and refocus. Plan your work accordingly. When you are aware that distractions would be less, do the most critical job. Keep the easiest job for the hours when distraction peaks. Also Ergonomics is very important. If you feel uncomfortable, make amends in the way you sit, keyboard positions, monitor positions etc etc. Just google ergonomics, I feel it would help you. And reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine affects serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine(for super addicted people). FYI serotonin regulates mood, dopamine regulates our information processing system and behavior and norepinephrine regulates our control and alertness.

 

Do meditation (Transcendental Meditation), it would help you to control your sensory activities and mind. Also sound sleep is important. A good sleep repairs internal damages and replenish chemicals in our body. You would feel more in control.

 

If you are making mistakes and your trainer noticed, then she would definitely notice that you have improved a lot. It's only a matter of time.

 

Only problem with triple checking is poor productivity. If you would observe there are always definite patterns in the mistakes we make. Give focus to the repeat offenders. As things around you have changed, you need to mold (change) few things in you to fit into the new environment.

 

Good luck. :)

[chelle21689]

Thank you.

 

I just hope my good and new work catches up soon. I thought my old mistakes were all done but some how one or two keep trickling down....it's so annoying. I think I'm going to point out that I've been making effort to double check but my old mistakes still come back and haunt me in a way. I just want to be seen as good worker.

[chelle21689]

I've been at my job 7 weeks now and I just made a really embarrassing mistake I'm kicking myself over.

 

So one of my jobs is to prepare contracts with salary information and make sure it's signed and return. This girl Jane Smith went weeks without returning her contract so I email her 4 times, the last one we had to cc her supervisor and she finally returned the contract. Two weeks later she mentions to my supervisor how another Jane got her contract by mistake sent by me and she was unhappy that someone saw her salary.

 

I should've been more careful but hey, I emailed her 4 times and I got 3 of it right lol. My supervisor said to be more cautious and thinks she wasn't really mad but just wanted to have a reason to "snap" because we cc'd her supervisor on it.

 

How much trouble do you think I'm in? My supervisor didn't seem angry...

[edgygirl]

I should've been more careful but hey, I emailed her 4 times and I got 3 of it right lol.

 

Not really"lol" funny... I would be pissed too in her place.

 

Own your mistake, doesn't matter that she didn't return your email, you're making excuses to feel less bad. Salary is utterly private info - would you like other people to see yours?

[Mind-Chants]

How much trouble do you think I'm in? My supervisor didn't seem angry...

 

Pretty much what edgygirl said. If she holds you liable for disclosure of confidential information, you and your supervisor can't do much about it.

Now that you are aware of your mistake, at least send her an apology mail from your side. (No need to cc it to the supervisor. ) You can't hide the mistake under the guise of new employee. This is very basic professional conduct. You are jeopardizing your own career. Appreciate the value of seconds here. Change yourself.

 

Just because your supervisor is cool about it doesn't mean he is ok. When my subordinates make mistakes and cost $$$ to company, I am the one who has to face the fireworks of senior management but I don't always go on blaming individual employee for their mistake unless it's a massive blunder. I usually address them in teams but I just cross the individual out from future responsible tasks (repeat offenders).

[anika99]

Do you mean that every time you emailed her you also included her salary info? Why would that be necessary. The info should have only been sent once and follow up emails shouldn't have included that personal information. If you only sent the confidential information once then that means you sent to the wrong person the very first time and however many times you had to email her after has nothing to do with your mistake. If you only sent the confidential salary info in the very first email and it went to the wrong person then how in the heck was the right person supposed to return it to you? You are blame shifting.

 

In any case I would suggest that when emailing confidential information that you only send that information once. Don't just keep resending the info.If you have to follow up simply create a new email and reference the first email

[chelle21689]

So I haven't updated here. I've been working hard to be cautious and double check and so far I haven't made a mistake which I was really proud of and my trainer even noticed. I was going straight two weeks without issues until yesterday it was revealed I sent a wrong email to someone. This was a mistake I made weeks ago before I became cautious and it's making me feel sick.