Most people think if they’re showing up and not getting yelled at, they’re doing fine at work.
Of course, that’s not always the case. Sure, you might not feel like smashing it out of the park, especially if you’re only making minimum wage. However, you should still take some level of pride in what you do and try to do it well. Unfortunately, if these things sound familiar to you, they’re signs you might not be doing as great as you think, even if no one’s saying it out loud.
1. You’re constantly confused about what you’re supposed to be doing.
If you feel lost almost all the time, not just when something new pops up, that’s usually a hint you’re not fully dialled into your role. It’s normal to need a learning curve at first, but if you’re still playing guessing games six months in, something’s off.
Either you didn’t get enough training (which is partly on your employer) or you’re not asking enough questions and taking enough initiative to figure things out. Either way, staying confused isn’t a strategy; it’s a warning light you can’t ignore forever.
2. Your coworkers avoid trusting you with important tasks.
When the big projects or critical assignments keep going to other people, and you’re left with the scraps, it’s a subtle sign people don’t fully trust you to handle the important stuff—and trust is everything in a workplace. It doesn’t always mean they dislike you. It might just mean your work hasn’t been reliable enough for them to feel confident handing you bigger responsibilities. That trust can be rebuilt, but first you have to notice it’s missing.
3. You’re constantly redoing things you thought were done.
If your work keeps coming back with notes like “Needs revisions” or “This isn’t what we asked for,” and it happens more often than not, that’s a problem. Everyone gets feedback sometimes, but if it’s constant, something’s not clicking. It usually means you’re either rushing, not understanding the assignment, or not double-checking before handing things in. None of those are permanent flaws, but ignoring them guarantees you stay stuck in redo land forever.
4. You blame the system for everything that goes wrong.
Bad systems do exist, but if your first reaction to every mistake is “Well, the system’s broken,” people notice. At some point, if you’re the common denominator in every chaotic situation, it’s worth asking if some of the chaos is coming from you too. Owning even a little responsibility shows maturity and growth. Blaming the system for everything? That’s the fastest way to stay stuck in a loop where you never actually get better at your job.
5. You have no idea what success looks like in your role.
If you can’t answer the basic question, “What does doing well at this job look like?”—that’s a red flag. It’s tough to succeed at something when you don’t even know what the goalposts are supposed to be. It’s worth checking in with your boss or mentor if you’re unsure. Wandering around hoping you’re doing okay is a terrible strategy. Clarity isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must if you want to get better at what you’re doing.
6. You rely heavily on other people to fix your mistakes.
Needing help sometimes is normal. But if you’re constantly leaning on coworkers to rescue your projects, cover for your oversights, or explain basic stuff to you every week, it starts wearing thin fast. Eventually, people stop seeing you as a team player and start seeing you as dead weight. If you’re serious about improving, start trying to fix your mistakes yourself, or at least show you’re making an effort before running for help.
7. You procrastinate so much that deadlines sneak up on you.
Everyone procrastinates a little, but if you’re always scrambling at the last minute, missing deadlines, or handing in rushed work, it’s a problem. Good work takes time, and last-minute panic rarely produces your best effort. Being bad with time management doesn’t mean you’re hopeless. But pretending it’s not a big deal definitely makes things worse. If you can’t respect your own deadlines, it’s hard for other people to trust you with theirs.
8. Your feedback sounds like a checklist of basic mistakes.
If your manager’s feedback always sounds like “Pay more attention to detail,” “Please read the instructions,” or “Double-check your work,” it’s not great. Those are the basics, not advanced skills. It usually means you’re missing easy wins that would instantly level up your performance. Slowing down a little and being more intentional could make a bigger difference than you think, without needing to reinvent yourself from scratch.
9. You’re defensive every time someone suggests improvements.
If you react to every bit of feedback with “But I thought…” or “That’s not what I meant…”, it makes it really hard for people to help you improve. Nobody expects you to love criticism, but shutting it down instantly just guarantees you keep making the same mistakes. The best way to show you’re serious about your job is to listen when people are trying to help you get better. You don’t have to agree with everything, but staying defensive keeps you stuck.
10. You don’t seem interested in getting better.
People pick up fast on whether you’re coasting. If you act like you’re just here to collect a pay cheque, do the bare minimum, and peace out, it shows, even if you think you’re hiding it well. You don’t have to be obsessed with your job to do it well, but showing a little curiosity and initiative goes a long way. If you act checked out, people start treating you like you’re replaceable—because honestly, you kind of are at that point.
11. You avoid learning new skills whenever possible.
In today’s world, standing still is basically moving backward. If you’re constantly dodging opportunities to learn new tools, new systems, or new ways of working, you’re setting yourself up to be left behind. Being good at your job isn’t just about doing what you were hired for. It’s about staying flexible, willing to adapt, and curious enough to keep growing. Being stubborn about learning new stuff isn’t a personality trait, it’s a career liability.
12. Other people are quietly picking up your slack.
Sometimes no one says anything outright, but if your coworkers seem tired, annoyed, or stressed every time a project involves you, it’s a clue. People don’t always complain openly, but they will quietly adjust around you if you’re not pulling your weight. If your team feels more relieved when you’re not involved, that’s not something to ignore. It’s not about being liked; it’s about being someone people can actually count on when it matters.
13. Deep down, you know you’re not trying that hard.
If you’re being really honest with yourself, you probably already know whether you’re doing the bare minimum or if you’re actually showing up fully. You don’t need your boss or your coworkers to spell it out for you. The good news? If you’re reading this and feeling called out, it means you still care, and that means you can turn it around. Effort doesn’t fix everything overnight, but deciding to show up differently tomorrow is a pretty good place to start.
