New Year Thoughts

Working with chronic illness. Who is driving your bus? Do you feel like you’re driving in circles – or someone else is driving this instead of you?

I want to hear your thoughts – we all want your comments. Click on the comments on share with others what you find works.

Here are my thoughts for how you can drive the bus –even living with chronic illness- in the year ahead. Decide you’re going to have a positive influence on the outcomes:

• SET THE BAR HIGH AND ACHIEVABLE. Living with unpredictable illness means that every day starts with the question: how will I feel today? Work must be a place where you can feel success. Think with hope and keep it realistic.

• ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED. Don’t expect that others will know what you need. I’ve learned from my own mistakes that no matter how hard this is, you’ve got to push yourself to do it. Start by making a list of what you can no longer do (either all the time or when you’re in a “flare”). Figure out what would make the difference. Identify what it would take to accomplish this and who can help you with this. And finally, make the request.

• FIND YOUR STRENGTHS. Sometimes, we have to push ourselves harder to see that there are reserves we’ve never tapped. I’m feel so much better about myself when I do – and feel cranky (or worse) when I don’t. Too often when you live with a chronic illness, the illness overwhelms everything. Surround yourself with positive thinkers and look for what you can DO – not what you CAN’T – DO.

Print this and refer to it for a guidepost. Look at my website about how I will work with you to help you do this. Buy the Career Thrive booklets. Or try it on your own.

Just make it a success-filled new year!