After our second child was born my prior wife was concerned she would lose her figure and decided to do something about it. She was told to take up belly dancing to strengthen the tummy muscles. She found a belly dancer who volunteered to give her a typed note on exercises that would do it.
I was studying one night and heard her cussing with “Shit” a lot even though she didn’t cuss. She explained the frustration of standing perfectly still and trying to wiggle her rib cage but could not get the bones to move. She showed me the instruction which stated simply “With your hands on your hips, wiggle your rib cage from side to side.” I gave my opinion that one cannot move their rib bones unless you also sway their upper shoulders. She disagreed and felt there was something wrong with her. She went to bed angry and down on herself. A phone call the next day cleared the matter up. But for that short time she viewed herself as defective and a failure.
Yesterday morning I received a call from someone dear to me expressing frustration at work. The lady running the business has been hollering at her lately. Two coworkers were recently fired and she felt she was next. I just listened until she changed the subject.
This morning when I awoke I was reminded of the rib cage incident. To this dear person I suggest you take the lesson from my ex-wife. Don’t condemn yourself as you too are being expected to do the impossible. You are on a death ship sinking. You do not have license to make business changes to save it, all while you are expected to perform a miracle and do an immediate turn around in the cash flow. It can’t be done.
Your boss is probably in panic and has no clue how to save the business. This is happening all over the country now. Please try not to take the situation personally; it is in no way a reflection on you and your talents, it is just a sinking ship. But please, if it helps, just holler “Shit” although I know you can’t say that. Hang in there and ride it down so you can draw your unemployment.