how do you handle making mistakes at work

clydethecat

for the last two months i've been working on a project at work. i have to create and schedule 300 customers and at least half of them have special scheduling. it comes out to around 550 different schedules that have to be created. while working on this project i would make little mistakes, or omit something that shouldnt have been omitted, so i would have to go back, start at the begining and recheck them all. i hate making those kind of mistakes, but at least i could fix them before anyone saw them, but it was very frustrating.

well now we've gone live with the new system and there have been at least 6 major errors that my boss found and told me to fix. i'm not in trouble, but oh man, i hate having my boss tell me i made a mistake. i fixed them all, but i was so upset that i made these mistakes. i hate to admit it, but i actually cried out of frustration. i work from home so no one saw me, but now i feel bad for making the mistakes and for crying about work stuff.

i need a better way to handle, i guess being human and making mistakes.... how do you handle it?

hypotrochoid

Admit it. Accept it. Move on.

Pocket_Pixi

Depending on the mistake.. if it is minor I grumble to myself and fix it. If it is a major one I usually end up in tears - not because I am in trouble but because I am frustrated lol I am trying to get better at not doing it but so far its not working.

chevy88grl

I own up to it. Accept it. Apologize for it and move on.

I am human. No matter how many times I do something or how many times I check something over, sometimes mistakes happen. We aren't robots.

neverstray

Dont make mistakes. Do whatever you have to. Take the extra time and make sure everything is correct.

Some people are not cut out for certain types of work. For instance, I would fail at what you are doing because I am not a detailed person. I work well in grey areas where there is no actual right answer, everything is a judgement call. I do well with that, and that's what I do now. But, if I would be forced into your job, first, I would tell them that they are setting me up for failure, and then, after that, I would learn how to do it in a way that would minimize errors. But, at the end of the day, I'd just keep telling my boss, "I told you. This isn't my thing."

PinkEarthMama

Figure out WHY you made the mistake.

IS there a flaw in the new system that makes it harder? Is it carelessness?

Slow down, remind yourself that you're human, and when in doubt - ask for help.

Homer3D

Mistakes are a part of life. You have to make a few mistakes to be able to learn from them. I would be more concerned if I were making the same mistake over and over because that tells me I am not learning from past mistakes.

I wouldn't stress about it too much. Everyone makes mistakes. That's why pencils have erasers.

TeeferTiger

I find the best way is to try and correct anything before anyone realises, and/or 'fess up before anyone says anything. That way I've not got anyone feeling smug because I've displayed the fact that I'm only human!

If someone feels they can look down on you for making a mistake, then it must be wonderful to have been so perfect and to never have made any themselves! Just deal with the error, accept that you're only human and learn from the experience. No good will come of beating yourself up over it

PrincessKittenpants

I do the same thing! I get so upset with myself that I cry too, out of frustration not self pity. When the weather is nice I go for a walk around the building. I'm struggling for the outlet during the time of crappy weather though. *big hugs* Just know you aren't the only one and a lovely cry can do us all good:drinker:

TimN1974

I follow the words of Jimmy Buffett: "Breathe In, Breathe out, Move On"

liftingbro

It normally goes like this.

Oh ****, ****. How ******* dumb.

poustotah

Admit it. Accept it. Move on.

This. I've been in management for most of my career and when I tell someone that they've made a mistake and ask them to correct it, it's not because I want them to feel bad, it's because something needs to be fixed. It's not a big deal, it just has to be done. I have more respect for the people that own their mistakes and move on than for the people that just try to shy away from the whole thing.

Pams_Shadow

Admit it. Accept it. Move on.

^^ this and if it made other people work extra, then be sure to show your appreciation in some way

twistofcain

I own up to making a mistake and try and figure out how not to make the mistake again; then have a drink.


Unlike one of my co-workers who ****s the world up daily and blames other people.

wendyannie1976

acknowledge the mistake, admit it, apologies, learn from it, move on with the learning

mslindsay

I try to keep in mind that my boss is human as well, and also makes mistakes. As long as I can fix it and quickly he won't care (if he is a good boss). Scheduling 500+ appointments there will be mistakes, I enter in 500+ data points and analysis a week and I am always making mistakes. And that is why my boss is there, to check over it, so it doesn't get to the customers.

kaetmarie

my job is a little different, but i use it as a teaching tool for my students. they're all ALWAYS in trouble, so they like when i talk about making mistakes. making mistakes is human...that's why you have someone else look at your stuff.

d2footballJRC

I make elaborate schemes, usually meaning I have to kill a co-worker and buy fake tickets out of country in their name.(or names depending on how big of a mistake)

mslindsay

Oh and don't argue with them or make excuses about the mistakes. That just pisses people off.

CBranson0503

I just started a new job in September. My new job is infinitely more complicated and complex than my old and more than I thought it would be. I have never had a complicated or complex job before this, so I was not used to asking for help or making so many mistakes.
Once I started asking for help and asking more questions, I learned more of the background processes that occurred because of my actions. This made me think about the things I was doing in a different way. Now, I make a lot less mistakes and when I do make them, I find out how to prevent them in the future. I work with a really supportive co-worker and really understanding and supportive manager so I never feel awkward about asking for help or adivce. Even if it's the seventeenth time I've asked them how to do something.

LuckyLeprechaun

Would you berate a coworker to tears over the sort of error you made? Of course not!

So, be as kind and patient with yourself as you would be with a coworker.

When you make a mistake, instead of letting yourself get all bogged down in frustration that it happened, try to figure out how it happened, then formulate a plan in your mind as to how you'll avoid it in the future (if possible, but relax, and realize that not all mistakes can be prevented, and that's OK). Being proactive about it distracts you from the immediate frustration of the mistake itself.

knowwhentoshutup

The office I work in recently made a fairly big mistake, and I took full responsibility for it. It just wasn't caught, before we went to print. So, now I have to deal with it for the rest of the year. My boss comiserated with fellow peers about it, and was told of many other horror stories as far as mistakes go. We certainly aren't the first or the last.

But, as crappy as it feels, I agree with one of the first people that posted. Admit it. Accept it. Move on.

To really help the healing process for me, a few weeks later I went out for Chinese with my mom and got this as my fortune:
Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.

It made me smile.

Then again, it helps to think about the Amish, too. I was told that they make a mistake (knowingly) in everything they do, because only God is perfect. Keeps it in perspective. We are only human.

TheRoadDog

If I were to make a mistake, I would correct it and seek knowledge to avoid making similar errors in the future.

That's my plan if I ever make a mistake.

vick9180

I can't think of any software-type thing that didn't have mistakes. Huge corporations that have multiple people working on the same project still make mistakes and have to fix bugs. All the apps that people download onto their smartphones have bugs and need fixes. It's just part of creating something...even products that have been tested by many people have issues. I've never heard of anything like this that was released for use that didn't have a patch or bug fix shortly after its release. Many of them go through multiple patches and fixes. It's really nothing to be upset about. If a multi-million dollar company can release something to the public and have to go back and fix it, why would you be so hard on yourself? It's improbable to make anything perfect the first time, but at least you have the ability to fix the little issues that arise as they're found. Just accept that you're human and all humans can make mistakes, and be proud of the fact that when those major issues were found that you were able to fix them quickly and make your project work even better than it had before.

lynseybreit

Dont make mistakes. Do whatever you have to. Take the extra time and make sure everything is correct.

Some people are not cut out for certain types of work. For instance, I would fail at what you are doing because I am not a detailed person. I work well in grey areas where there is no actual right answer, everything is a judgement call. I do well with that, and that's what I do now. But, if I would be forced into your job, first, I would tell them that they are setting me up for failure, and then, after that, I would learn how to do it in a way that would minimize errors. But, at the end of the day, I'd just keep telling my boss, "I told you. This isn't my thing."

This is the least helpful answer. You're sort of insenstive, and where I come from you get stuck doing things that test you mentally and emotionally. My job tests me everyday, and I make mistakes as well. I just try to stay dignified, and always ask if there is an improvement I could make or a better way of doing it. I think my bosses appreciate my ability to admit when ive made a mistake, and to ask for help to get better.

And I have a desk break down monthly at least. So let it out

p0pr0cksnc0ke

Easy.

mslack01

Admit it. Accept it. Move on.

This. I used to beat myself up about it like you are doing, but I have learned now that I do my best and yes, sometimes I make mistakes but I always own up to it and try to fix it.

liftingbro

If I were to make a mistake, I would correct it and seek knowledge to avoid making similar errors in the future.

That's my plan if I ever make a mistake.

I think my wife highjacked RoadDog's account.

BevbeMoore

I have made my share of mistakes in the workplace and in a couple of particular cases I can think of they were huge. I spent a lot of time beating myself up about it to the point where it hampered my confidence for a long time. I was tentative and it hurt me and my team. Whatever you do remain confident in who you are and your abilities and put the mistakes behind you. Retrace your steps, review what could have been done differently and try not to repeat them. Things happen and if you are tired or rushed mistakes will happen. I have learned that I have to slow down and take a moment to breathe especially if I am anxious. As well, don't be afraid to speak up and ask for help when you need it.

I will also tell you that for me as a Christian, I have learned more and more why it is so important to rely on the power of God and that my faith in the Lord gives me what I need to get through and get the job done.

People are not real in talking about their mistakes and failures and for some reason we will in a world that expects perfection. In our own ability we will fall short, God knows this that's why He sent His Son Jesus, so if He understands why can't we? Just a thought...anyway. Chin up...you will recover!!

kaetmarie

Easy.

bahahahahaha! i see this every day!

clydethecat

oh wow you guys, i never expected this much of a response, you guys are awesome. i'm usually the person that finds other peoples mistakes, just part of my job, and i've always told them, i only care that you fix it. and i'm really good at finding and fixing my mistakes. its when my boss, (full disclosure, i work for my parents, they own a small service company, so there are other issues), or my dad, tells me i made a mistake, that it feels like i failed.

mistakes are to be made, i totally get that.. and you guys are right, fix it, apologize and move on, thats the best answer. i also need to slow down.. when i think i know how to do something, i tend to tune out and go on auto pilot. thats bad! but thats an easy fix, just pay attention.

i need to keep my emotions in check, thats the stumbling block for me..

thank you all for your great answers.. i really appreciate it