Is it common for workers to make mistakes? Every month, hundreds of individuals ask Google this question.
To be clear, the answer is yes – making mistakes at work is natural. At the end of the day, you're just human, and no matter how well-intentioned you are, mistakes happen.
It becomes a problem, though, if you continue to make mistakes at work without examining why they are occurring or taking action to correct them. It's much worse if you make a mistake at work and try to hide it from your boss, minimize it, or blame it on someone else.
If you've developed a habit of making mistakes and want to break them, keep reading to find out what steps you should take.
Don't fall into the trap of catastrophizing
Let's imagine you make a mistake in an important meeting and fail to bring your notes, leaving you stumped when a client requests your opinion. Your problematic brain starts working overtime the moment you walk out the door.
You start to worry that your boss is mad with you and that their quiet in the elevator just now was proof of that. Then you start to worry that this minor blunder will come back to haunt you when it's time for your review. Worse yet, you believe this is the final blemish on your record and that it will inevitably result in your dismissal.
Set attainable goals (and then reward yourself for achieving them)
Your boss may not always have time to compliment you on a job well done in a fast-paced workplace. That's OK. On the other hand, many of us find it challenging to feel confident when we don't prove that we're on the correct course. Setting your own goals and praising yourself when you achieve them is one method to tackle this problem.
You may, for example, develop a list of the short- and long-term tasks you need to do. Have a prize in mind when you've completed ten items on your list. You can stop focusing on perfection by recognizing these tiny victories and their value.
Learn and grow from your mistakes
It's time to formulate a strategy for the future. Making mistakes is OK, but you should always learn from them. How can you make sure you don't end up in this predicament again? Is there anything you can do now to help you better prepare for the future?
You can overcome your mistakes by viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve. You don't have to (or should!) strive for perfection, but you can strive to improve on yesterday's performance. Take things one step at a time and congratulate yourself on staying on track.
Quit comparing yourself to others
It's normal to compare yourself to your coworkers and even your bosses; after all, these people are your competitors, right? Wrong. You're on your path, and you must remember that at all times. It's a risky game to compare yourself to others.
While individuals around you may appear flawless, everyone has their own set of professional challenges. You can't compare your life to theirs because you don't know their entire tale. Instead, the only person to whom you should make comparisons is yourself. What steps have you taken to advance professionally in the last few years, and where do you hope to be in the future? That is a useful way of thinking.
Avoid unnecessary stress
While striving for perfection may appear commendable, it can become an unhealthy fixation if it causes you constant worry. Burnout can occur fast as a result of work-related stress. You may be suffering from this problem if you find yourself irritable, overwhelmed, or anxious.
In other words, placing yourself under stress might make you physically and mentally ill. You can have racing thoughts, worry all the time, headaches, sleep issues, and other issues. You should take precautions to avoid this situation. Allow yourself some leeway when it comes to your professional performance. It could be the best decision you ever make.
It's not only about why you make mistakes but also how you embrace them and learn from them to become better! Let's learn more advice for any self-development topics and consult with us! Also, don't forget to follow us on Instagram @baikgp and @ayureadypodcast if you want to get more information and extra insights!