Can you be good if you have poor attention to detail?

One of my defining characteristics in life is that I am absent minded and don't notice things.  It was the thing that drew the most criticism in my life growing up.  If I was told to look for something I would never find it, and then someone else would immediately see it 2 seconds later.  Its like my brain doesn't notice things that other people do.  

I've noticed playing chess that I never notice when I leave pieces hanging.  I literally give up a queen, bishop or knight within the first 3 turns EVERY single game.  I even spend a lot of time looking at all the pieces to see if they can take something and I never notice it.

I'm wondering if I'm just going to forever suck having this sort of personality trait.  I have played chess for about 2 years and studied a lot of opening theory and I try to make safe moves and control the center of the board, but I just give up pieces every single game for absolutely no reason.  They don't have to outplay me, just brainlessly attack a piece and 9/10 times I won't even notice it. 

I'm sorry I cannot help much, but you are amazing the way you are, but you CAN and ALWAYS improve yourself wherever you feel you are lacking.