When We're Asked To Do The Impossible at Work

St. Benedict has some suggestions for any of us who have ever been asked to do the impossible at work. While some jobs may be harder than others as a regular diet, every once in a while we all may have faced being expected to do something downright impossible. It's happened to me on more than one occasion.

A couple of simple examples: 

• Being told to complete a project that typically takes "x" number of days in half the time.
• Meet increased sales quotas based solely on a a company's need for significantly increased revenue.

Something from my own experience:

While working for a big company, I was asked to approach a big prospect with the goal of getting him to start a relationship. The prospect was a difficult individual whose reputation proceeded him. The task seemed almost impossible, but I accomplished the goal. Having done what was asked, it was determined that the prospect hadn't made a big enough commitment. I protested, based on the fact that this was something never addressed before my extended effort to get him to bite. It didn't matter. I was told to insist that the prospect increase his commitment. That was an impossible ask. Then, after I went ahead and spoke with the prospect anyway, one of our senior managers decided that he was not willing to work with this guy.

So I got an impossible assignment. Then, when I had given it my best shot, management reversed course and decided it wasn't something they wanted to begin with. (I later found out the senior guy had a personal grudge against this prospect. Grrrr!!!!)

You may well have other examples that pop up as you hear the word "impossible."

We can react to such a burden in many ways, ranging from passively accepting our fate to - in extreme instances - quitting our job. 

As Catholics we might consider how the impossible ask may well be something Our Father permits to help us to learn to rely on Him - always, everywhere, even when we face what we believe to be an impossible assignment at work. While we're certainly not expected to accept serious abuse on the job, here's what St. Benedict's Rule tells us to do:

"If it happen that something hard or impossible be laid upon any brother, let him receive the command of his superior with all docility and obedience. But if he see that the weight of the burden altogether exceeds the measure of his strength, let him explain the reasons of his incapacity to his superior calmly and in due season, without pride, obstinacy, or contentiousness. If after his representations the superior still persist in his decision and command, let the subject that it is expedient for him, and let him obey out of love, trusting in the assistance of God."

Remember that monks have taken a vow of obedience. We have not. But even if we factor that in, there's good advice here.

We can, of course, simply go at it. That's something I did in the example given above. See what happens.

Or, if we truly have no idea how to approach a truly impossible task, we can talk to our boss and explain why we're stumped. Do so after thinking it over and taking a few good deep breaths, so the words come out calmly, with solid reasoning.

What to do if the boss listens but still insists we do the impossible? That's a tough question. It really depends on the specific circumstances, and upon our individual capabilities and temperament. But we can, no matter the circumstances all turn to our Father - right away - and seek his grace, and the light of His Holy Spirit. 

And we might also remember that God judges our sincere intentions, not the results we may or may not get. 

We may still have to deal with the anxiety, or outright outrage, of having an impossible task dumped on us. And God's justice may not include our satisfaction or success on the job. But it sure will help if we know He deems us to have put in a worthy effort.