Feeling Stupid

LegacyUser

I feel stupid. I try to not be but I keep making stupid minor mistakes in work. I have a really easy reception job thats hard to mess up, but I still do. I put calls to the wrong people and can barely hold a conversation. I can't talk to anyone as I don't understand what they are saying. I am Irish, so it's not a fact of not knowing the language. I find I have a constant battle with minor day to day tasks because I am not used to menial work. Does anyone else feel like me, or am I just unprofessional?

MagicMarker

I assume this is a new job?

I wouldn't worry about it, everyone feels stupid in a new job! I'm in my job for 2 months and I'm still not completely comfortable.

Stick with it, you'll learn from your mistakes. It will just take time to get settled in.

LegacyUser

No it's not a new job, Ive been here for over 5 months, plenty of time to learn the ropes of a simple enough job. And I have been doing this type of thing on and off for a few years now, I just feel like I'm really thick.

Monkey61

Making mistakes must come down to nerves. Everybody is like that in a new job, especially when using phones and anything which gives you the opportunity to press the wrong button. Of course the more mistakes you make, the more you fear people are noticing which makes you more nervous and more likely to do something silly again.

How exactly do you not understand what people are saying though? That's a bit odd. Are they talking about subjects that you aren't familiar with? Or just using words that aren't in your vocabulary?

Reception jobs are not easy! Menial and easy aren't the same thing anyway. I personally could never work on a reception desk - I'm sure I'd be rubbish at it.

Storm_rages

Don't worry Op, You are not stupid.

You may just not be very good at that job. I was a reception job a few years and it was the hardest dam job ever. The amount of times i put the wrong caller on to the wrong director. In the end they moved me to accounts and i pretty much took over.

who007

5 months is nothing in a job where you are learning the ropes... wait till a year is up and then post back if you are making mistakes. Until then, chill

Monkey61

Monkey61 wrote: »

How exactly do you not understand what people are saying though? That's a bit odd. Are they talking about subjects that you aren't familiar with? Or just using words that aren't in your vocabulary?

This happens to me all the time. I am very intelligent and have an excellent vocabulary, but I often need things explained to me as clear and as "dumbed down" as possible because I just find it hard to follow what others are saying and I find it extremely difficult to concentrate.

Don't worry OP, you're not stupid. I know how you feel.

Slumdog

i was like that in my job for a while but honestly think bed by half 10 and exercise helped.. for me anyway. i stopped drinking so much especially during the week aswell.



very cliche advice :P

John Mason

May be you are just not cut out to being a receptionist.

i couldnt do it. would you consider looking for another job ?

MsFifers

Maybe you are making all those mistakes because you are too intelligent, not because you are too stupid! I find if I'm bored and understimulated, I start doing really stupid things and making mistakes. Its just a sign I'm not concentrating or interested in what I'm doing.

Or, as someone suggested, maybe you need to look after your general health. Sleep well, eat well and make sure you are properly hydrated.

Finally - do you smoke the aul waccy baccy at all? That can really have an effect on your concentration levels.

LegacyUser

You may be an idiot -
or

You may have a distinct inability to handle mind numbing boring tasks and are making mistakes because you are doing something you have zero interest in and are not challenged by . Its a common occurance , I work in a place where people are rediculously over qualified for there jobs , some of the things they say and do would astound you.

Some people are just not cut out for some jobs.

kittensoft1984

Op,

Maybe you are still nervous that you are going to make mistakes (is that makes sense?)

Sometimes just because we always do something we expect ourselves to do it and therefore do it.

Try to chill out and if you are still not happy, then i would suggest looking for a new job.

LegacyUser

thanks for the replies. Looking for a new job just isn't an option at the moment. I feel like I am lucky to have this one with the times the way they are. I also am unqualified so I haven't got much choice, i cant afford to leave. I don't think I am nervous any more. no more than what I was when I started. I probably lack concentration and maybe need my ears tested. and no i am not stoned coming to work, i am just naturally like this.

LegacyUser

I feel the same way, i've been in my job for almost 2 years, and i'm constantly making little errors, i feel like since i've finished college and study my brain has slowed down and my I.Q. is slowly dropping

if someone asks me to check something or find something i'll come back after genuinely doing my best, they'll look at what i've done and 2 seconds later they'll correct me and i'll stand there like a f**king heel

I put it down to a lack of care in work but i think its that I hardly use my brain in the last however many years

i've haven't done anything mathematical in 7 years! i use a calculator cause i'm lazy, i did higher maths for the leaving and now look at the state of me

Poloman

Are you getting enough sleep?

Never put yourself down there are plenty of peopel that will always do that. Hold your head up and just try to concentrate. Nothign comes really easy to people but one day it will all just fall into place. You just wait and see.

smileykey

i'm temping at the moment as a receptionist and am having similar problems. I think part of it might be because, one minute you have nothing to do and you're bored out of your mind and next minute five or six people have left work for you do have done in half an hour and the phone starts getting busy and everything happens at once. I think I switch my brain off during the quiet times and forget to turn it back on in time when I have to. Also I hate the whole lack of control receptionists have in their day ot day job. In most jobs you'll know what you ahve to do all day and can pace yourself. In reception you have to take it as it comes.

The not understanding thing, I also understand. A lot of Irish people mumble on the phone and they're mumbling names they're not even sure of, ones they've guessed after hearing smoeone else mumble it.

Adelante

Hi,
Here's my two cents worth if it helps, firstly calling yourself "idiotic" is, whether you realise it or not giving your unconscious mind a direct instruction to say -hey you know what I must an "idiot", Reality check you know what, your NOT an idiot. Unless your parents were really mean to you at birth!!!

Have you heard the story of Edison and the lightbulb, Im not quoting directly so plz anyone familiar with the analogy, please feel free.When asked about the 200 mistakes/faliurea it took to make the first lightbulb his retort was, that he the didnt fail or make a mistake, he merely found 200 hundred ways of how not to make a lightbulb.His 200 different ways were solutions for 200 different things other than a lightbulb! Perspective!!!

You have choice in this life,if something is not working there's always another way! What are your expectations, especially of yourself, what are your intentions, what is your purpose. Can you see yourself age 95 and looking back on your life and this situation... what do think. Can you laugh about. Go out there and live your best life,

Cos your worth it. :rolleyes:
peace and love