Resolved Question

*wondering out loud* Am I feeling too much? Is there some boundary issue I should address?

Dear SuSa8 -- It is not at all unusual to feel the way you do when things at work are not going well. You have to ask yourself why are they not going smoothly then do something about it.

As a long time manager and leader, I have noted all too often that many people are afraid to tell their superiors when things are not going well and as a consequence, they box themselves and their superiors into bad situations. Keep your superiors advised and if you need help or additional resources --ask. Do not wait until the deadline or expected completion date to tell your superiors of the problem. By doing so you take options away from your superiors who may have otherwise had the ability to correc or mitigate the problem but are left with no options and looking bad. This is when you as a subordinate find trouble.

A good manager finds ways to help his or her people be successful. If he can help you succeed, your success makes him or her look good in return. Your failure is also your superiors failure for not knowing of a proplem or not taking effective action to create success.

The only reason you should feel badly is if you are failing to do what you are capable of doing and empowered to do to create success or failing to advise your superiors of your needs to achieve success. If you are not the cause of the problem, what is and what, if anything can you do about it. If it is within your authority to act, then do so decisively and fairly. If it is not within your authority, escalate the problem to whomever does have the authority to act.

If you have done these things, relax and sleep well.