When several people make the same mistake, inspect the explanation they received. The words may be accurate from the author's perspective while leaving the user to infer a necessary step.
Ask a willing new reader to follow the instructions using an ordinary example. Watch without immediately rescuing them. Note where they hesitate, search backwards or choose an unintended action. Protect confidential information and make clear that the instructions are being tested.
Find the missing bridge
In a fictional workbook guide, the instruction enter actual hours assumes the user knows whether breaks, travel and reassigned time belong in that field. A definition and a worked row may resolve the uncertainty more effectively than repeating the instruction in bold.
Clarify the starting conditions, required inputs and expected result. Explain a common error at the point where it is likely to happen.
Test the revision
Use a different example or another appropriate reader. Check that the change resolves the confusion without creating a new ambiguity. Keep the wording close to the terms the user actually recognises.
Instruction quality is part of product quality. A method that only works when its author stands beside the user is still carrying an implementation dependency. Make that dependency explicit or improve the guide until the intended user can proceed independently.