Can You Job Hunt, Live with Illness and Stay Motivated

Looking for a job in a depressed economy and living with a chronic illness that makes your employment history a bit “sketchy”.

Yikes, it doesn’t sound pretty. But at the moment, that describes many of my clients. Not surprising, is it? Ten years ago, a robust, growing economy made it much easier for anyone – even with disabling symptoms – to find a job. But that’s not now.

As one person confided recently, “The good news is that when I go to networking events, so many are in this sinking boat with me . At least I don’t feel like it’s just me and must be my fault.” Cold comfort.

How do you keep the job search going when all you hear is how bad it is? How do you force yourself out of bed each day, especially if your body is in pain or a state of extreme fatigue?

On a recent call, L started by setting “desired outcomes” for our meeting, as we always do. She wondered how to stay motivated when she keeps hitting stone walls in her job search. She spinning – – feeling hopeful with a new lead and then, realizing it’s going nowhere, losing heart.

For a brief moment, I was right there with her and felt her fear. But then I realized that we could break this overwhelm feeling into pieces she could hold onto and manage. As we discussed it, we both realized that a project management approach would help her stay away from distracting emotions and keep her on point.

Four questions to frame the “finding a job” project:

1. What do I want to achieve? Just like with any project, you have to be able to define your desired outcomes. Describe the kind of job AND what it would do for you so you can remember why this is so important.
2. Why do I believe this is possible? Identifying this helps you stay motivated and focused. Even if your first response is to say, “I don’t”, that’s just not true. Some part of you believes . Dig deep and find it.
3. How long can I realistically give this? It’s easy to spend some time every day worrying that since this hasn’t happened, it will never happen. That’s a waste of your time and energy. Create a realistic time frame and don’t let yourself look back until you’ve reached it.
4. What will it take to get there? This is the specifics. Create a list of activities, including people to meet, places to go, ideas to research. Then put some kind of time frame to it. Put it on a big white board -and check off when you’ve done something so you can see how much you’ve done!

Now, for the tactics. How to keep going every day in the face of rejection or even worse, no possibilities?

1. Start every day with one thing that makes you feel good. A delicious cup of coffee, a walk , read the newspaper. Something that you look forward to and helps you get out of bed.
2. Next, do one productive thing. It doesn’t have to be work related but it has to yield tangible results. It could be washing the bathroom floor, planting some flowers, writing a note to a sick friend. This gets your juices moving.
3. Now, look at your activities list and give yourself 3 things to do that day to move your job search along.

I’d like to know what helps you? Are there things you’ve done that keep you motivated?

If you find this helpful, there are more suggestions like this regarding looking for work in the Working With Chronic Illness Workbook on my website. You don’t have to be a passive rider on the roller coaster of job hunting.

Rosalind Joffe built on her own experience of living with chronic illnesses for 30 years, including multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, when she founded cicoach.com. This career coaching firm is dedicated to helping professionals with chronic illness develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. Rosalind believes firmly that living with chronic illness does not preclude living a full and successful life. * She will be speaking during our Invisible Illness Week Virtual Conference.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Why I Rode Space Mountain and Celebrated Irresponsibility

If I had paid any attention to the warning signs before I got on the Disneyland ride, Space Mountain, a high-speed, turbulent ride not recommended for those with weak stomachs, heart problems, etc. I never would have gotten on. Or if I’d been able to see it zipping around, I may have avoided it.

The truth is, despite this being my favorite childhood ride, I’ve skipped it a lot in the last 16 years since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

But this last weekend, although I have physically been in a new season (translation – in a lot more pain and with permanent joint damage), I had a few motivating factors to get on the ride.

One, my six-year-old son was with me and I wanted to surprise him. Mom is always the one that sits on the sidelines. And while I won’t risk havoc on my body for a 20-second  jerky roller coaster they pop up at the fairgrounds, I will for a “smoother” Disney coaster. Afterward when we asked him what he thought about it he said “I was shocked” and “It was awesome!” I’m glad I got to experience that with him.

Secondly, I used a wheelchair the entire time, even from the hotel over to the park, so I wasn’t thoroughly thrashed by the time I stepped out to get on the ride. Usually just walking 10 more feet to get on a ride is enough of a deterrent, but I was in decent “shape.” And putting some of my silly pride aside and using the wheelchair I got to experience a great deal more of our vacation.

And thirdly… well… I just wanted to throw caution to the wind and do something out of the ordinary.  (Even, dare I say it? Irresponsible!) After 11 months of my body demanding its own way all of the time, culminating in a diagnosis of diabetes last week due to my high blood sugar, I thought I’d show it who was in control. I was in control of my body and I wanted to go on Space Mountain. (Add in a little feet stomping there like a 2-year-0ld.)

And you know what? I was fine. Funny how I can barely climb 15 stairs without my knees popping out of place, but a good thrasing around on a track is exhilirating. How many times had I said, “I’ll just wait for you. I can’t do that. I shouldn’t really go on that?” A lot. And I didn’t want anyone counting on me. One look at the Autotopia cars and I said “I’ll meet you at the end.” There was no way Icould get in and out of those!

But surely a roller coaster gives my body a strong, fast dose of endorphins and they are also pain relievers. So, with that theory, we went again the next day. As I waited in line beside other people in wheelchairs, or with scooters and canes I saw anticipation on their face, and when they exited, exhilaration, joy, just pure fun. Faces were flushed with the thrill.

Those of us with chronic conditions are some of the bravest people I know. And if we have to sit through MRIs with knocking and vibrations, why not go on Space Mountain too? The burdens were lifted and lessened even if just for a couple of minutes.

I know my limits. I wrote this blog in a notebook while sitting at a table while my husband and son went on the Matterhorn. Even if I could stand the jolts in that ride, I couldn’t get in and out of the low car one must ride in. But for now, I can still grit my teeth and grab my husband’s hands and slowly pull myself up out of the car of Space Mountain. Unfortunately, since we were in the car for those with disabilities, we never saw our photos. But trust me… I did it. (And small secret, I want to do it again.)

Lisa Copen is the founder of Invisible Illness Week and also Rest Ministries, a Christian organization that serves the chronically ill. She is also author of a few books, including Why Can’t I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why.

Popularity: unranked [?]