[LisaOlsen]

If you're new to a job and desire to make a lasting impression, there are a few things you can do to minimize mistakes and feel secure in your position. Check out our article for ways to better manage everything from your boss to your email and demonstrate just how valuable you really are to your organization.
View The Full Article

[dgannon]

check, recheck, read, re-read, listen carefully and take notes... best advice I can think of!

[JudyM]

I always print out the email too that needs action. That way I have it right in front of me with my notes.

For sending out important email I sometimes email it to me first and then wait a few minutes. Then open it up and read and check it to make sure this is the correct email I want to send. It has helped me alot and that way I can find my errors and correct them first.

If I then had to make corrections, I'll then email it again to me to double check until I have it right.

[shaubold]

I have been working for the President of our firm for just over two years. I too made a few mistakes at the beginning, out of haste for trying to be quick and efficient when I should have focused on being efficient. Probably the best thing I did was to go to my boss one afternoon and tell him, "I can not promise I will be perfect, but I can promise I will tell you when I've made a mistake." Then I explained what had happened and how, and what action was required to correct it. Thankfully it was minor, and probably more embarrassing than anything else. I do think he appreciated my candidness with the situation.

[lilysunshine]

This is me entirely too often! There are two partners at my office, and I am the EA for the founding partner. He is, unsurprisingly, the busiest and most high maintenance as well. I find that most of the mistakes I make could be prevented if I just took the time to take a few deep breaths before acting. It's hard to convince myself to do that as often as I should - things pile up and I just want to knock them out as quickly as possible.

I've been working on taking a few seconds/minutes between writing emails and sending to do other tasks - the most pressing is keeping my workspace clean and organized. So far so good - less mistakes and more elbow room!

[LisaOlsen]

Great input everyone! It's a great reminder to all of us to take that deep breath and concentrate just a litte more before we act. I can especially relate to lillysunshine's comment about wanting to knock things out. I was the same way, and found that when I stopped to breathe and think, I made less errors. I also gained more respect from my peers and boss because they knew I wouldn't jump into something without giving it adequate thought.

[Chrissy Scivicque]

It's funny that this situation is so common! When I first became an EA, I went through the exact same thing. I made silly mistakes trying to be efficient. It wasn't until I learned to stop multi-tasking and focus on the task at hand that I was able to get on track. Lisa's tips are always spot on. And Shaubold makes an excellent point: always be upfront and honest about mistakes. That's the only way you'll learn. It's also the best way to ensure your boss and co-workers understand you care(and you're not just shrugging off mistakes or worse, trying to cover them up!)

[Fazal]

To err is human forgive is divine, to overcome your silly mistakes is to be aware of yourself, Meditate, Relax, understand your responsibility, it's not just a mail going out with out an attachment, think that your personality is being delivered through your mail. Everday we grow by learning something, so keep yourself open to the learning process

[LisaOlsen]

Very well said, Fazal! Keeping ourselves open to the learning process is so important. And, I especially like your idea that our "personality is being delivered through the mail." Very powerful. Thanks for sharing that valuable insight.

[an.ab]

I'm exactly like Lilysunshine but in addition to that I'm also a little perfectionist who beats oneself over each mistakes. That occupies my mind and lead me to make more errors.

Thanks for the suggestions mentioned. I will do accordingly!