If you really do wish to start living, and I'm not convinced it's all that much better than doing what you are doing now -- barely existing in a fetal position while awaiting the next blow of fate --- one of the "fundamental principles" authored by Carnegie is to anticipate and prepare for disaster by asking yourself "What is the worst that can possibly happen?"
For example, if you are worried about surviving a weekend HR training session on team building, convince yourself that the real purpose of the off-site is to put you in a situation where your bad attitude will get you fired. You certainly won't be able to find another cushy position like the one you have now, so you will likely go through your savings and lose your house. And your spouse certainly won't stand by a loser like you, so you'll end up alone, living on the streets, eating from dumpsters, catching a rare disease and dying a horrible, painful, unheralded death.
Presto-chango -- you're no longer worried about the HR retreat, and can attend with a positive, can-do attitude. Gee, this Dale dude really knows his stuff.
I hope that you have gained as much from this gloss of the Carnegie method as I have. But just in case you think this entire column has been waste of your precious time, I refer you to "The Golden Book" for one more tidbit of Carnegie wisdom about which I have no doubts - "expect ingratitude." This is from a section titled "Cultivate a Mental Attitude that Will Bring You Peace and Happiness." And it's true! If your attempt at manipulating co-workers cause pain and makes trouble, remember that there's nothing that can bring you more peace and happiness than making a beloved colleague miserable.
