Posted by Dinah1 on May 17, 2002, at 18:44:36
In reply to Mistakes we make (rambling), posted by mair on May 17, 2002, at 18:01:50
Well Mair, the important thing is that it WAS remediable. And fortunately, most mistakes are.
I know exactly what you mean, though. My current problems started 8 or 9 years ago with the realization that I was absolutely certainly bound to make a disastrous work related mistake, through which I would bring shame and disaster to my co-workers and family, and that could only be remedied by... well you get the point.
It was really an obsessive concern and I have had many panic attacks over it. Every now and again (all right, quite frequently) I think OK this is it. This is the mistake I've been expecting. Disaster is sure to fall. So far it hasn't been true, but I know one day it will be.
And it is true, Mair. People make mistakes every day. Little ones and, unfortunately, big ones. Depression and drugs do make it harder to concentrate but with or without them mistakes are made from time to time by everyone. Stupid mistakes. Mistakes that only an incompetent boob would make. But even the most competent people make those mistakes. And it's not just at work. The possibilities are everywhere for a moment's inattention to cause tragedy. I get paralyzed with fear sometimes just thinking of it.
I'd like to quit my job, too, because I don't feel confident in my ability to not make one of those mistakes. Despite the fact that I know I'm good at what I do. Just as I'm pretty sure you're good at what you do too. Only people who are good at what they do get upset when they make a mistake. But my husband always reminds me that I'm not in the health professions. Any mistake I might make will not cause anyone to die or be seriously damaged. So it COULD be worse.
I don't suppose this will make you feel better Mair, and I am sorry. This happens to be my OCD fear - causing disaster through my actions. But I do think it's important to keep it all in perspective. Even famous surgeons make stupid mistakes. Even presidents and kings make stupid mistakes. It doesn't make them stupid. And it doesn't make them incompetent. It makes them human.
poster:Dinah1
thread:23983
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020517/msgs/23985.html