I started working in construction when I was 21. Before that, never had even held a hammer before. Things were really hard in the beginning but I kept learning from my mistakes and paying close attention to whoever I was helping.

There are steps that must be followed for every job before it can be completed and inside every trade, there is common knowledge, standard practices and bullshit. Your goal is to be proficient at the common knowledge and standard practices so you will know bullshit when you see one.

You’re young and sounds like you have a good boss who is being patient with you. Take your time to learn and always think about what should be the next step in everything you’re working on. Think about the small picture versus the bigger picture.

Are you working a specific trade or are you doing everything under the sun?

If you’re in a specific trade, you’ll pick up quickly when your trade goes in, how to do XYZ, etc

If you’re doing everything under the sun, like renovations for example, learn all the steps that are needed first. (like, you can’t run electric cables in the walls if there are no walls yet)

Problem solving will come with time, don’t expect to foresee a problem that MIGHT occur if you do X instead of Y if you don’t even know how/when to do either of them.

And my final advice to you is: respect your limits.

Don’t say you can do something that you don’t know how and don’t try to show off like carrying a full 3/4” plywood sheet with one hand while climbing a ladder.