The Top 3 Biggest Mistakes You’re Making at Work

If your hard work and dedication are not paying off at work, you might be making common work mistakes. Mistakes at work are easy to make, but they can be easy to rectify. Here are three common ones and how to fix them.

Making Promises You Can’t Deliver

Making a promise and failing to deliver is far too common in the workplace. Although you might be able to get by with this practice a few times, eventually, your credibility will take a hit. When you can’t deliver on a promise, it adds extra pressure and stress to your day and makes you look bad. Remember that when you promise something to someone, they’ll expect you to be able to follow through.

Give your supervisor a realistic expectation even if it is not what they want to hear. Your boss will appreciate receiving high-quality work when you tell them they’ll receive it. Only make promises that you know you can keep, and that way, when you promise, you deliver. Even better, if you can do it before the set time, you will be the hero of your office, clinical area, classroom, or other workplaces.

Hitting a Slump and Not Acting

Few characteristics of life are immune to slumps. Slumps can cause you to feel unmotivated, lost, unproductive, angry, annoyed, or stuck. Unfortunately, you’ll fall deeper and deeper into the slump if you fail to act.

Many of us walk into jobs that we aren’t 100% happy with, and it may seem like the quick fix is to quit. However, there are more effective ways to get out of a slump and keep your job in the process. Here are a few considerations:

  • Determine what aspect of your career is slumping. Are you stressed about a project or rethinking your career path? Is the nursing shortage causing you burnout and fatigue? Are the students at school overwhelming you? Figure out the problem and address it with the necessary party.
  • Network. If you’re a teacher, consider attending other schools for open houses, fundraisers for libraries, or festivals. Behavioral health professionals can join a Listserv, attend conferences, and call on former employers and co-workers. Contract and temporary assignments allow health care professionals to meet other professionals in various health care settings. In these settings, you’ll be able to voice your thoughts to a group who will understand and may have ideas for you to try.
  • Focus on the positives. Take time to consider what is going right in your career and be grateful. It’s easy to forget about the positives when we’re angry or frustrated, but this can help you remember why you’re doing what you do.

Complaining About Your Job

It’s easy for your boss or co-workers to notice negativity in the workplace. Complaining about your job incessantly will forge a negative reputation for yourself and spread negativity to others. In most cases, you’re there to make things better, not worse. Patients and students should hear complaints from a professional, and it may grind on your coworkers. They have enough concerns. Try to bring up workplace critiques through the proper channels so they are constructive and propose a solution so that you’re able to be helpful. If you need to vent, save it for after-hours with friends or family.

Arbor Associates can help you find a job where you can make a difference. Tell them what you want from a job, and they will help you make it a reality. Arbor Associates works with multiple industries, including health care, education, health care administration, behavioral health, and other occupations. The recruiters at Arbor Associates will provide you with the tools and support to help you become a better employee.