On the Brink of a MELT-DOWN!

Dear MikChiks,

I used to love my paying job, but now, it's no longer enjoyable. I've lowered my own expectations of my work just because it's impossible to do everything that I'm suppose to do. I've turned into a cranky person with little patience. It seems I'm always getting myself into trouble with the boss, though not intentionally. I want to quit this type of work because I'm a poor example of a supervisor.

My conundrum is that my age is a big factor, as well as my level of experience in certain areas. I've looked online for jobs but nothing seems a good fit. Of course, I'm praying about it—even begging God to get me out of this nightmare.

On the other hand, I like the people I work with, and there are a few good perks, but the stress is going to do me in. I won't go postal, but one of these days, I just may have a public melt-down. Not a pleasant thought.

Any ideas of what I can do? I've not been able to talk to the boss—he's too busy and overwhelmed himself.

Totally Stressed-Out Supervisor

Dear Stressed Out,

Oh, do our hearts go out to you!  We've had jobs that felt like nooses around our necks--where we were only one fry short of a melt-down ourselves. So here's the best advice we have from what's left of those over-taxed brains.

First, no matter if you stay or if you go, you HAVE to talk with your boss.  You owe it to him and to yourself.  Think about how much more overwhelmed he'll be if you have a public melt-down, or if you decide to run away screaming.  But it's always good to come to a meeting like this with some possible solutions.  You could say to him:

Boss, I'm not getting any younger, and this job is getting more stressful.  With every year, it seems there are fewer people to do an ever increasing amount of work (an assumption, but it sounds plausible).  Something HAS TO GIVE.  It's physically impossible to get everything done that's now part of my job description—and I don't think it has anything to do with my age.  But it makes me feel guilty, and has turned this job from something that used to be rewarding into something that makes me want to pull my hair out.  Maybe the solution is writing a realistic job description.  Maybe the solution is hiring an assistant, or assigning someone else duties that don't necessarily need to be done by a supervisor.

Maybe the only solution is for me to find another job.

Stressed Out, you get the idea.  We beseech you—talk to your boss.  He might have ideas you haven't thought of.  And look at his job—is there anything you could do to make it easier?  A little restructuring could help EVERYONE—because chances are that those working under you are also overwhelmed.

But if you decide to look for another job, analyze your work experience carefully—and not only in a straightforward manner.  For example, a waitress has food service experience, but she also has valuable customer service experience that can translate into many fields.  Perhaps your supervisory acumen would make you an excellent trainer in something not directly associated with what you've been doing. 

Don't be afraid to try something completely different.

What do you think, Readers?  Have you been in this situation before?  What have you done?  Any suggestions for our letter writer?

And please let us know what you decide, Stressed Out.  You have our prayers!

With Much Love,

Maddie and Lisa