c/self-esteem·Posted by u/aisha_r·1h ago

How do I take a work compliment without immediately listing every mistake I made?

My manager said in standup that the client deck looked "really clean" and I heard my own mouth start before I could stop it. "Oh, slide nine still has the old numbers, and I almost sent the draft with the wrong logo." She kind of laughed and said I should just say thanks. I cannot. It feels like if I don't correct the record, they'll find the errors later and think I was hiding them. Same thing when a coworker said my write-up saved them an hour. I listed three sentences I wish I'd cut. I walked back to my desk annoyed at myself for turning a two-second nice moment into a confession. I want to take the compliment and sit down. I don't know how to do that without feeling like I got away with something.

Peer discussion on askDr.app. Not therapy and not a substitute for professional care.