Question: “Our boss has unrealistic expectations for both the quantity and quality of work we can deliver in a certain period of time. How can we explain this without challenging her or sounding as if we are whining or not up to the task?”

Response: “First, try stretching beyond the limits of what you thought possible of yourself. You might be surprised at what you are capable of accomplishing. Then, once you have pushed yourself that far, try stretching even further. Only then will you learn about yourself, your true potential, and whether your boss is an insane task master or a genius for bringing out the best in you.”

Source: The New York Post, October 31, 2011, p. 37. “Career Coach,” by Gregory Giangrade, Chief Human Resource Officer, Dow Jones

Closing quotes:

“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke, author of “2001: A Space Odyssey”

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt (only U.S. President to be elected to 4 terms)

“One extends one’s limits only by exceeding them.” — M. Scott Peck, “The Road Less Traveled,” which was on the New York Times non-fiction best seller list for almost 15 years