Advice Sometimes, the only thing you can do is your best

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EDMONTON - It's not easy to take on new responsibility. Even if you initially wanted it, you may find yourself struggling with an abundance of new tasks, some with no clear guidelines or goals.

As a new supervisor (it's been a couple of months), I now have to make some big decisions for my department. It's frustrating, because there are no clear-cut answers, and it's up to me to make the call. It's really intimidating to be making financial decisions especially, and I'm constantly feeling like I'm not doing anything right. Any advice?

- Anonymous

While it's tough to accept, sometimes there are no "right" answers - just better and worse ones. When it comes to determining the best way to organize your group or complete the tasks you're responsible for, all you can do is make a decision with the information you have. Inevitably, more information will present itself, and this may - or may not - result in entirely new ways of doing things, or slight adjustments to how things have been run.

This is just life.

It can be intimidating to be the one making the call, but all you can do is gather as much information as possible, and make a logical decision. And, since you are likely answering to someone else, don't be afraid to ask for help when you're completely at a loss. You may be struggling to prove yourself capable of working independently, but you're adjusting to a new role - no one in their right mind would expect you to get it right all of the time. There is always room for error, at any level. If there isn't, then this isn't the place for you. You are not a robot.

At times when you're feeling frustrated and unsuccessful, it's important to reflect upon the fact that you were chosen for your position for a reason. It's not for nothing that you're in that role - you have lots to offer. It's also important to remember that people are allowed to make mistakes.

And above all else, don't forget that the consequences of these mistakes are never that bad. Perhaps you could have saved or made more money with Option B - but let me ask you, will this matter in five minutes, five months or five years? Not likely.

We all sweat the small stuff, as they say. The mistake is moving up the chain and thinking that the new stuff you're sweating is that much bigger.

In the grand scheme of things, it's probably not.

It's also counterproductive to criticize yourself too harshly. Be conscientious, yes, but also forgive yourself for your mistakes.

Not only will agonizing over your errors draw unnecessary attention to them, but your anxiety will make it harder to pay attention to what you're doing and to improve.

Being gentle with yourself makes for happier days and nights, but also greater success over time.