I’ve been making few mistakes for the past 2 months at my workplace. I’m a healthcare worker. These mistakes made me feel very disappointed in myself and fear of work now. I’ve been very careful in my work. But how can I improve myself more? 
I am afraid of the responsibility. Worrying whether will I be labeled as “incompetent” by my superiors and colleagues. I lost faith in myself and in my career… 
Hi @user1306,
Thank you for sharing what you’ve been going through. It’s clear that you care deeply about your work, and that’s something to be proud of. Working in healthcare comes with immense responsibility, and the fact that you’re feeling so affected by these recent mistakes shows just how seriously you take that responsibility.
First, I want to acknowledge that making mistakes, while difficult, is part of being human—especially in a high-stakes field like healthcare. It’s natural to feel disappointed in yourself, but it’s important to remember that everyone, no matter how experienced or careful, makes mistakes at times. What matters most is how we learn from those experiences and use them to grow.
It sounds like these mistakes have really shaken your confidence, and that’s understandable. When we’re afraid of being labeled as “incompetent,” it can feel overwhelming, and that fear can make it hard to focus on anything else. But I want to encourage you to be kind to yourself during this time. You’re already being very careful in your work, and that’s a good sign that you’re committed to doing your best.
Improving yourself doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being open to learning and growing. One way to start rebuilding your confidence is to reflect on what you’ve learned from these experiences. What steps can you take to minimize the chances of making similar mistakes in the future? Are there areas where you can seek additional training or support from your colleagues? Sometimes, reaching out to a mentor or a trusted colleague for advice can provide you with new perspectives and practical tips.
It’s also important to address the fear and anxiety you’re feeling. These emotions are valid, but they don’t have to define your career. It might help to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, whether it’s a counselor, a supervisor, or a colleague you trust. Sharing your concerns can lighten the emotional load and may also lead to support and encouragement that you didn’t expect.
Keep in mind that these errors do not entirely define your value as a healthcare professional. You’ve made it this far in your career because you have skills, knowledge, and a commitment to helping others. Don’t lose sight of that. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and they don’t take away from all the good you’ve done and will continue to do.
Take it one step at a time, and try to focus on what you can control—your effort, your attitude, and your willingness to learn. You’re stronger than you think, and this experience, while challenging, can ultimately make you a more resilient and compassionate healthcare worker.
Please take care of yourself, and know that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You don’t have to go through this alone, and there are people who can support you as you rebuild your confidence and continue to grow in your career.
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hey! just a disclaimer that i’m not a professional, but i do want to chime in as i am having similar concerns as you and i’d like to share what helps me. i’ve just started working recently and it’s my first proper job, so there’s sooo many things i’m unfamiliar with, even the basic stuff. coupled with my perfectionist tendencies, it just makes for a lot of anxieties and fears with making mistakes. everyone around seems so competent too, and i’m having a lot of impostor syndrome, wondering if i deserve to have a role in this field… so i hear you :’)
i see that you are putting in a lot of effort to be careful, that is great! i’m sure that the people around you will take note of that, it shows that you are doing your best and have a positive work ethic. however, mistakes do still happen, and that’s very normal and common. i know that is difficult to take in… but what i’ve found helps is to remind myself that mistakes are normal, beginner or not, and it’s actually how we learn! without mistakes, i feel that the learning process will be much slower and unfulfilling 
it also helped me a lot to talk to my superiors and colleagues and hearing that they make their fair share of mistakes too! at times, they even openly and willingly share that they have messed up in something 
mistakes are part and parcel of life, including at work. it does not make you incompetent, it only makes you human, what’s important is how you make use of the experience to grow.
be kind to yourself, don’t stress yourself out by thinking that you need to do more and more, the fact that you are trying your best now is enough. mistakes don’t make you a poor worker. keep going at it, and i wish you all the best!!
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Hi there,
Thank you for sharing what you’re going through—your struggles are completely valid. I want you to know that you’re not alone; I’ve also made multiple mistakes at work before, and I understand how hard it can be to deal with the fear and self-doubt that follows.
It’s clear that you have good intentions and are working hard to do your best, and that’s already something to commend yourself for. You care deeply about your work, and that’s really important.
While these mistakes might shake your confidence, they shouldn’t shake your view of yourself. Remember, you make mistakes, but you are not a mistake. This is a tough line of work, and despite the challenges, you can continue to make a positive impact on others, just as I’m sure you’ve done already. Keep it up!
What helped me in similar situations was owning up to my mistakes voluntarily. I found it helpful to have an open conversation with my superiors about what I could have done better and to reassure them that I’m committed to putting in the effort to improve. This not only showed them that I was serious about learning from my mistakes but also helped me regain some confidence in myself.
You’ve got this, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time.
Best,
Tommy
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Hello there!
I feel that you are someone who is really responsible and strives to do their best at work through you reflecting on wanting to improve yourself. My first ever work experience in healthcare was during my poly internship and I experienced a lot of distress too. The industry is so fast paced, with patients rushing in and out, coupled with so many things to learn. I can understand how you feel when it comes to feeling disappointed, and being seen as incompetent, as I have went through that as well.
What I found useful for me was that I did a weekly review on what were the areas I could improve on, as well as what I have done well! It is perfectly human nature to make mistakes, and we often only see the negative side because of that. While it is great that we take measures to improve ourselves, please do not forget to also acknowledge your own strengths!
Thank you for your sharing and remember that you are not alone in your journey as a healthcare worker. Wish you all the best and take care! 
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Hi @user1306 ,
I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with making mistakes at work. It’s completely normal to feel disappointed and fearful after experiencing setbacks, especially in a high-pressure field like healthcare. It’s clear that you’re dedicated to your work and want to improve, which is commendable. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and what’s important is how we learn and grow from them. I am wondering if you are open to the idea of talking to a supervisor or mentor about your concerns? Sharing your feelings and seeking guidance could help alleviate some of your worries and provide you with a clearer path forward. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and it’s okay to ask for support.
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Hello @user1306 
! Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. I see that you are disappointed with your performance at work due to the mistakes you’ve made. I’m sorry to hear that you’re disappointed. However, could those mistakes made on days when you’re feeling slightly more tired or feeling a little off? I think it is great that you’re spotting these mistakes and would like to improve yourself.
Perhaps noting down these mistakes would be useful to help you remember and not repeat the mistakes. However, remember that noting down these mistakes is not for you to dwell over them but to improve yourself. I think that it is perfectly normal to make mistakes. I believe there are so many things out there that you’re doing really well at 
!
“You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.” – Barack Obama