Being too slow at work

Ask a Therapist Treatment & Recovery
1

Hello,

These days I have been receiving poor performance because of my low efficiency in work. I have been working for 4 months and the most common thing i hear is that my work efficiency is really slow, like slow… I have ben nagged and scolded by my supervisor for my slow work but I cant seem to have the energy and motivation to pick up speed. Sometimes I also wonder is it because I dont have the motivation and effort to even work? Is this the case? I feel that I am that kind of colleague that everyone will dislike because i do work super slow… Altho some people from other departments comforted me, but I cant help but to think that if they work with me, they will feel pekcek from my slow speed as well.

Because of my inefficiency, i am experiencing loss motivation and being demoralise at work. Everyday I dragged to go work and I am having anxiety everyday as well… I need help to deal with my current situation

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Dear @AnxietyEmployee

Thank you sharing. I can see I’m hearing that you’re going through a lot - it sounds like you’re carrying a lot of pressure, and that must be deeply exhausting. Feeling like you’re not meeting expectations and constantly being reminded of it can take a huge toll on your confidence and motivation. It makes complete sense that you’re feeling demoralised and anxious.

I just want you to know that working at a slower pace does not make you a bad colleague or someone others dislike. Everyone has their own rhythm when it comes to work, and just because your efficiency isn’t where you—or others—want it to be right now doesn’t mean you aren’t capable or valuable. You’ve only been in this role for four months, and adjusting to a job takes time. Being nagged and scolded doesn’t help; in fact, it likely makes it harder for you to work at your best because stress and anxiety can actually slow you down even more.

It sounds like you’re stuck in a really tough cycle—feeling pressured to work faster, but the stress of that pressure making it harder to focus, which then makes you feel even worse about yourself. That’s a really difficult place to be, and I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. But please know, this does not mean you’re not good enough or that you will always feel this way.

If you’re open to it, maybe we can find some small steps to help you feel more in control of your situation. You don’t need to suddenly become super efficient overnight—just small, manageable adjustments could help you build confidence. Maybe it’s figuring out what specific tasks slow you down the most and seeing if there’s a different approach that works better for you. Maybe it’s having a conversation with someone you trust at work to get guidance without judgment.

And most importantly, please be gentle with yourself. You are not defined by how quickly you work. You are a person with feelings, struggles, and strengths, and none of that is erased by a difficult time at work. You deserve to feel valued, supported, and at ease in your daily life. If work is causing you constant anxiety, it’s okay to step back and ask what you really need—whether it’s more support, a different approach, or even a change in environment down the line.

You are not alone in this, and you are not failing. You’re doing the best you can in a tough situation, and that is already enough. Be patient with yourself—you deserve that kindness, always. :yellow_heart:

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Hi @AnxietyEmployee,

I can sense how much this situation is weighing on you, and it’s completely valid to feel frustrated and demoralized when you’re trying but feel like you’re not meeting expectations. It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge how this is impacting you emotionally, and I hope you give yourself credit for that. Working under constant scrutiny and criticism can drain anyone’s energy and motivation, especially when it creates a cycle of anxiety that’s hard to break. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and your worth as a colleague or person is not defined by your speed at work. It’s clear you’re aware of your challenges and care about doing well, which shows your dedication despite the circumstances.

Feeling stuck like this can be overwhelming, but small steps can help you regain a sense of control and confidence. Communicating openly with your supervisor or a trusted colleague about how you’re feeling and exploring whether there’s additional support or tools that could help improve your workflow might be one way forward. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help—it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. Focusing on achievable goals and celebrating small progress, no matter how minor, can also build your momentum. Most importantly, don’t forget to show yourself kindness and patience; you’re doing your best in a tough situation, and that’s something to be proud of.

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Hi there! Read your post about slow at work and I would like to share my perspective from HR. There are 2 types of employees
1- slow to pickup on job that can perform given sufficient time to learn
2- job misfit
if you belong to the 1st type. Generally, you just need more time speak to your managers and colleagues and ask for help on how to improve your work processes. with sufficient time and guidance you should get better don’t ever feel that you are a problem to the team

Now the problem is if you belong to the 2nd type. This is where it gets tricky. Reason why is most people will hope that they are not the problem and they will put in effort to ensure they succeed. For example if you are not meticulous and you are in an admin job you will need 100% more time than another colleague that is meticulous. It will be ideal for you to give yourself a minimum of 6 months to 1 year to access if this is the case. Generally, some skills and abilities can be pickup with hard work and effort. However, there are certain skills which you cannot pickup or is totally untrainable no matter how much effort you put in. Recognising that you are not a good fit to the job does not mean that you are weak. instead it shows that you know what types of war is suitable for you.
if you have are currently in admin and you keep making mistakes, perhaps Customer service roles or sales roles might fit you better. Knowing your weakness is to know what you are good in. Its never wise to fight a war which you can nv win. All the best. :blush:

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Hello,

Thank you for your response. I am also in HR but i dont have that in depth thinking like yours. I agree with your 2 points and because I feel that I could be the problem in my case, thats why i am still staying until now which relates to point 1.. While I passed probation, I have no salary increment because they say wanna observe my performance and to be honest, when I reflected my performance is still poor after a few months and I wonder why also. My senior is also unable to understand what happens to me.. With that being said, i am unsure whether am I point 2 of your response. How should I recognise which am I? Most times I blame myself first more than the company which tbh is affecting my mental health as well.

And since you are also HR, i want to hear your perspective. As someone who has a 2 year career break (just rest and not doing anything) if I quit a few months of work only, i know is gonna be super ugly in my resume but with my current situation, what shud be the next step?