How do you not take things personally?

Seriously.  How do you not take things personally?  I'd love to know.  I need to know.  I need to work on this.

I take everything personally.  I take work personally.  I take my kids personally.  I'm overly sensitive, I suppose.

Taking things personally is not always a problem.  For me, it means I can do things with drive and passion.  I put my whole self into it.  I try my hardest and do what needs to be done to make it successful.

Did you see that key word that is the core of my problems? success

I need to say to myself:  LET GO!

When your kids wake up 'off' and throw temper tantrums...it is not a reflection of what you are doing right or wrong this morning...it is just that they are 'off.'

When your work is wanting to load you up with things and you feel like you are drowning...it does not mean you can't handle your job...it means that there is just a lot work to get done.

It's the success-factor.  The fear of failure.

In the morning, like this morning...I try to rationalize.  I try to calm.  I try to meet people's needs.  But no matter what I do, nothing is good enough.  Nothing stops the screaming.  Nothing stops the crying.  Nothing stops it.

At work...the loads of work that they are roping me in to help get done...does not mean they think I will fix it alone.  Or that I even can fix it alone.  It doesn't help that the hot-head manager that I'm trying to help out, is as hot-headed as my eldest.  And his temper tantrums are basically like what I experienced today.

Don't both these people realize:  I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN!  GIVE ME A BREAK!

But there it is...the source of my agony...I can't take the lack of resolution weigh on my shoulders alone.  I can't take it personally.

It is in my nature to take things personally.  How do you not?  Really...I want to know...what tools & methods do people use to not take something personally?  Or am I forever doomed to my eventual self-destruction because I can't deflect this?  Is it something I'm born with genetically?  Is it tied to my horoscope sign?  Is it where I was born in birth order?

Help!!!!

Luckily, in the heat of the moment, there is still some ability for me to rationalize.  I called my mom this morning and she came to my rescue to help with the eldest and console me.  I called my boss, and have an appointment with him in 15 mins.  (Side note:  Not sure if telling my boss I'm drowning with anxiety is a good thing...but I'm going with it)  I'm getting people to help...but I am not sure it will help me fix the core of the problem:  Me.  I'm taking it personally.  I'm feeling like I'm failing.  It is all in me...how can I deflect it without self-destructing?