I can't follow directions well

[faya27]

I can't follow directions well. Whenever it is meeting up with someone at a certain time or getting some random object for someone or how to work with certain equipment, I failed at doing those tasks and get blamed. People accused me for being lazy or disobedient but I'm not!
I can't follow directions because either 1) I can't find the object they wanted me to find. 2) I misheard them or could not hear them at all because of loud noises such as blaring loud music or loud washing machine. 3) I misunderstood their directions. 4) Sometimes I over think the job too much to the point where I still mess up. 5) Sometimes I get too eager to do the job that I did not catch the instructions and the person gets mad at me for not listening in the first place.

I know the solutions are to write them down in a notebook but I know if I do that, people will give me funny looks and yell at me.
I also feel like I can never ask for clarification because whoever gives me instructions, never gives me the time to ask for clarification.

What should I do?

[WickedElphie]

My advice is to do what works for you. If you need to write things down, go ahead and do it. If someone gives you a hard time say, "I'm sorry if it bothers you but it's easier for me to remember things when I have them written down." There's nothing wrong with that! At my job we have binders that have procedures written out in case for whatever reason you don't know a step or need to refer to something. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

And if you need clarification wait until the other person is done speaking and then say, "Excuse me, but I have a couple of questions." Or something similar. Ultimately I think the other person would prefer having to explain a little more and you know exactly what to do, than not and have a misunderstanding.

[Coral]

Jess has some very good advice. Never be afraid to ask for clarification, or to write things down.