Comments on: It’s Okay to Feel Stupid Sometimes

By: Nathalie

Nathalie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:41:50 +0000

Dear Mr. Moore,

Thank you for this encouraging article!

I have been feeling stupid and upset lately. Thanks to your article I can see my situation in a new, hopeful light now. I am outside my comfort zone. Fear of failing hindered me to try and learn, so I got stuck, which enforced the feeling of being stupid.

I am going to inform myself, learn and approach this new zone.

Kind regards,

Nathalie

(I’m foreign-language so don’t wonder about possible mistakes… )

By: Why Sherlock Holmes would do great in HR?

Why Sherlock Holmes would do great in HR? — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:45:16 +0000

[...] something like, is destined to be successful and impressive. What a nice skill to have on meetings! No long pause needed to think the questions [...]

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:57:51 +0000

Great blog post thanks. I have been at my new job for 12 days and it’s one of those ‘hit the ground running’ types, but I feel completely overwhelmed with all the information I have to take in and cannot come up with articles and reports requested immediately as I just ‘don’t get it’ and hence feel stupid. Even the young 25 year old assistant with a Generation Y attitude is annoying me because she talks to me like I’m stupid. People do say ‘hang in there you’ll get it’ but it’s tough when you have to come up with the results but can’t deliver confidently. I’m confused and stressed and miserable. I’m trying hard to read as much as I can about the business so I can learn it eventually. Argh.

By: shrinkingthecamel

shrinkingthecamel — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:59:22 +0000

Great story! You had me laughing, too. So, you are making it, right? Keep it up, dude. And remember rule #1 about feeling stupid: Always ask for help. You will usually get it.

You might also like this helpful post on “What to do when you are completely overwhelmed at work”

http://shrinkingthecamel.com/2011/03/04/what-to-do-when-you-are-completely-overwhelmed-at-work-2/

By: Mike Gaughan

Mike Gaughan — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:04:32 +0000

I have been feeling this way for about a month and a half now … overwhelmed by the sheer volume of very complicated technology, systems, and tools that are required of me to fulfill my role on this new project. For years, I have been operating on my own – figuring things out and devising my own solutions. I am once again left basically alone, but I need more help now than at any other time in my career. Folks are good about helping and I am most appreciative.
A couple of weeks ago I had been having trouble sleeping. I’d wake up at 2am … stomach churning … couldn’t get back to sleep. This lasted for 10 days. On the 10th day I woke again at two … couldn’t fall back to sleep … so at 2:30 I got up and decided to go for a run! I left the house and started my warmup walk when I encountered another “walker”. (I live in a pretty rural area in NH) I just started laughing my ass off. I think this other poor fellow thought I was craz!! I laughed at him … pointed my finger at him and said “You ca’t effing sleep either!” Well, he started laughing as well … I continued my run for about an hour and have felt better since (at least no more waking at 2am). I am still feeling stupid … but less so every day! I guess I’m comin’ around.

By: Steph

Steph — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:30:20 +0000

a**hole

By: shrinkingthecamel

shrinkingthecamel — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:45:15 +0000

Glad this helped, Rizz. You are the prime candidate for this type of advice, with a new position and all. Hang in there – in a couple of months you will be laughing about it. Well, maybe not laughing. But I’m sure you will get right in to the groove. Just relax, don’t panic, and give it time. You’ll do great.

By: Rizz

Rizz — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:22:12 +0000

I really needed this right now, thanks.

Just started a new job, and as competent as I know I am I had this lingering nauseousness over the smallest things.. Like not knowing my way around and swallowing all the information thrown at me and not being able to spit it back up upon request after a couple of days of training. I have a shrink in the family that I spoke to about it who stressed me out even more with a lot of psych babble.. This was simple, but nailed it.

I think the worst thing about it is feeling stupid about feeling stupid, but when someone says “hey, it’s totally ok that you feel this way (everyone does), and here’s how you can overcome it”, you sort of snap out of it and it’s easy to relieve the negative symptoms and carry on.

I’m going to panic again in the morning, but will remember that the feeling will pass and I will redeem myself wherever I understandably fall short now.

Thanks again

By: Dear STC: I Keep Making Mistakes At My Job. What Should I Do? « Shrinking the Camel

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:22:42 +0000

[...] of letters – well, emails really – that I have received from readers of my posts “It’s Okay To Feel Stupid Sometimes” and “Are You Feeling Stupid At Work? I’m Here To Help.” It’s also a chance [...]

By: katdish

katdish — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:33:25 +0000

Okay. I’m feeling stupid…

What rhymes with “aerosol”?