Can't stop making stupid mistakes at work

[Stressedout65]

Posting here for traffic. I started a new job mid December, then lost my dad on New Years Eve. I then caught covid mid January & ended up in hospital. Funeral was beginning of Feb & I went back to work a few days after it. I had my probation extended, which was to be expected as I hadn't been at work for a lot of the original probation.
I'm over the covid physically, but I can't stop making stupid mistakes! It's like I lack concentration & do not read things mis-read things or just forget. I'm making myself look really incompetent, stupid & downright thick if I'm honest. I'm so scared I'm going to fail probation & I go home feeling very depressed when another mistake is made. The thing is I can do the job! I have been doing this line of work for 35 years and have never been incompetent like this. I feel like I talked the talk at the interview and am now showing myself as a fraud. I just don't know what to do to become competent. I know how to do the job inside out, I just don't know what has happened to me this year. It's been 3 months since my dad died, I'm over the covid so I should be able to start pulling myself together now.
I don't want to lose this job, everything about it is good. The management are very understanding but there are only so many errors they can take. I'm almost 56 and want this job to be my final one before I retire. Feel so bad about it and dreading going back to work on Tuesday 😪

It sounds like you have had a stressful time and I'm sure if you tell them this they will take it into account. As long as you learn from your mistakes and remain positive they will probably just see it as part of the learning curve that comes with starting a new job. Hope things improve for you soon

Is it possible youve got long covid? That can affect things like concentration.

Can you see a pattern in the mistakes you're making? Like time of day (later when you're tired) or a particular task?

I think there are two things you could try to do. The first is to try to improve your focus but I think it's completely understandable why that is difficult right now. But try to get enough sleep, take vitamins or guarana, do things in your time off that help clear your mind a bit.

The second is to come up with tricks that will help you catch mistakes before you make them. To-do lists, notifications, use technology as much as you can. Double-check things more often.

You have been through a lot so be kind to yourself too.

Following . My concentration is off and I’ve made some shocking mistakes. I’m younger but I’ve wondered about menopause? It may just be grief.

Could you get together a plan over the weekend and then ask for a meeting to show them you mean business? Take the weekend to sort your to do list (really specific about what format works for you) and reminders, targets, notes, idiot level checklists etc and sit down with your boss to reassure you are getting it under control. Even plan things you will say more confidently. An air of competence goes a long way so try not to spiral and get down on yourself.

I’m sorry about your dad. That’s a rough few months and it’s been such a strange year I’m sure people understand

Of course you know the job and are not incompetent. As PP have said, not only are you grieving for your Dad but may also be experiencing symptoms of post COVID syndrome which can include cognitive issues (brain fog) Please speak to your GP.
Also some good articles www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-covid-19-brain-fog-and-how-can-you-clear-it-2021030822076
And
www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

Add to that you are with new people and perhaps don’t have your usual support network. Be kind to yourself

Op you need to research long Covid and speak to your GP

Mate I would be going to your GP.

If you're making mistakes you wouldn't usually make them there's something wrong isn't there?

It might be stress, it might be a post viral thing, it might be fatigue.

But it can't do you any harm at work to be seen to be acting proactively to try and find a solution.

As a manager if you came to me with what
You've put here I would only want to help you. Set up a meeting and have a frank discussion with your manager, acknowledge you're aware of these mistakes and present an improvement plan with actions you will take to try and prevent them happening again.

It doesn't have to be complicated, just things like re-checking before submitting work etc.

The simple fact that you're aware of these errors and want to improve is a sign of a good member of the team, as some people honestly don't give a shit or can't see their own failings.

Only you know your manager, is she/he approachable? If yes have a frank and open discussion.

Are they very formal? Have a more formal discussion but the message of acknowledgment and improvement should be the same.

Don't worry OP. If one of my team is struggling I always appreciate them coming to me and discussing before it becomes a conversation of me addressing with them first. Either way, my priority is always to support, the sooner I know there's a problem the quicker I can put that support in place.

Oh please go easy on yourself - you have been through so much and are still processing it all, on top of the year of anxiety and underlying dread that we have all experienced. And I say that as someone who has spent a year in a new job making some awful cock-ups and really doubting my sanity at times. I had my probation extended which I was gutted about but the boss was a micro-managing passive-agressive sort who has since been replaced by someone much more measured and calm, so things are much improved.

Please forgive yourself for the mistakes and try and recognise what a hard time you are in.

Can you put in a system of checking your work for mistakes. But if those mistakes are unusual for you then it is worth seeing your GP if you feel run-down

I had Covid in January snd it’s definitely affected my ability to has concentrate, so it could very be long Covid / post viral fatigue thing.

Is there any chance you're menopausal? I worked in a pharmacy, and it was like trying to think through fog. Until I went on HRT, I didn't realise how bad I'd got.