Forgetting things

I got in trouble at work because I forgot to turn in a sheet. I had completed it yesterday and I meant to turn it in, but then I got distracted and forgot. I'm sure my boss saw it and thought that I hadn't read her emailed instructions explaining what to do, because I've gotten in trouble about this before.

So today I wrote this note to my boss explaining that I had read and understood the instructions, but I got distracted and forgot. I still said that I understood it was my fault, but I wanted to clarify that I did read the email.

I wasn't trying to make excuses. I was just trying to spare myself another scolding about how I wasn't reading the instructions carefully or I was being apathetic to my job.

I frequently run into these situations where I forget or I'm not paying enough attention so I miss things I should know about. Earlier this month, I had gotten this long memo about changes the library has made. I had read it, but when my boss asked me about it several weeks later, I couldn't recall one of the dates she mentioned. And she asked, "Didn't you read the memo?"

I feel like I'm too stupid to retain every bit of information that I'm expected to know. I forget things too easily, and people know it's because I'm not trying hard enough at my job.

winterglen, I have problems like that, too. I accuse the meds I'm on. Maybe you could take notes on what you read? Write things down on a calendar? Things like that help me.

first, let's remember that everyone forgets things. even my friend with the "perfect memory" occasionally misplaces one. expecting perfection is something that people who are terrified of spontaneity do (the boss).

there are several things that affect memory, starting with genetics, add stress or head injuries,,, so many things affect us. what i have learned is that there are two things we can definitely do to improve recall and performance by improving focus and memory.

one is to realize that "multi-tasking" exhausts the brain and makes things worse. focus on doing only one thing at a time, and don't think about what is waiting for you. as suggested, i have been advised to keep lists, "to-do" lists, etc. they can be helpful, esp. at work. think of it as a 'flash drive' .

the other thing that can improve memory is meditation. if you have any interest in this there are several places in the PC Forums to read about it. Mindfulness Meditation, discussions of Buddhism, DBT, all have discussions about meditation.

i hope you find a way to overcome the boss's irritation about this very human experience. best wishes~
Gus

Well-said Gus - thanks!