Poor attention to detail

[booni13]

Since having kids & developing epilepsy a few years back, my concentration span is zero & my attention to detail is AWFUL.

I make so many silly little mistakes in work every day. Whether it's forgetting to attach a document, forgetting to delete my notes from an email, sending it to the wrong person with the same name etc.

I will check over my work sooo many times, then as soon as I send it, I realise what I've done wrong. It's so frustrating. Is there a way to improve this?? I've just started a new job in work as a PA and I'm so worried I'm going to book her a flight to the wrong place or on the wrong date etc. I need to improve this asap!!

Is there anyone who can help you by doing a quality control check on your work until you get your beneath you?

Can you get to bed earlier? I know that sounds really trite but quality rest is so important for memory function - if the job is important to you, I'd be taking care of my sleep hygiene as top priority. Phone charging across the room at night, good blackout blinds, and light-lamp to wake you up gently.

As for the rest - buy a stack of notebooks and keep a notebook and pen in your hand to take notes ALL the time! (And date the top page every day so that you know when you've been given a task.)

Agree with what the others have suggested.

Also, keep a master list for various tasks e.g. an email. Then check off the list each time you need to send one to make sure you've included everything.

I had a stressful time during a house renovation and noticed I was making silly mistakes at work and at times could hardly string a sentence together..

I write emails, keep them in draft and move onto another task for a little while, I then go back and reread the email and I've found this game changing.

Changing my focus onto something and returning with a fresh set of eyes has allowed me to pick up any mistakes.

I train a junior team where attention to detail is everything. With those that struggle I create simple checklists, so in your case:
Email address
Subject line
Copy check
You should get a prompt to attach files. But add if you need to.
Write this prompt list out and tick off when proofreading and it will soon become second nature. See the four stages of competence.
The same with booking flights:
Destination
Date
Times
Etc
After a while you'll be unconsciously competent.

Try not to lose confidence; you can do it! :)

Wherever possible, I sleep on all my work. I prepare it one day, and then re-read, proof read, etc the next day before submitting/sending/finalisation.

I know some things are more time-sensitive and can't wait until the next day, but if you can, try it.

Coming fresh the next day, looking at the task/instructions first, and then looking at your action/report/email/booking, etc with fresh eyes usually makes errors more obvious.

Not a proper solution but can you as a default send it to yourself the first time round?

My brain is wired similarly to yours when I’m under pressure; it’s like I go through all the motions of checking my work but as soon as it’s sent, that’s when my brain really engages and realises any errors or issues.

Maybe the woosh of the email going, even though it’s to yourself, will trigger the same kind of response and you’ll be able to catch things before they go to an actual other person?

Look into adult adhd. All the wheels fell off at work once I'd had children and got I'll. my previous coping skills/systems didn't work.

Some good tips on new coping skills and how to learn the behaviours which show attention to detail. I like computer game music from my childhood, clicks my brain tight back to concentrating for hours!