“If you think you can, you’re right. If you think you can’t, you’re right, too.” Henry Ford.
Career and chronic illness. Not exactly 2 things that go together, like peanut butter and jelly?
In fact, it’s my experience that most people who learn that they’re living with a chronic illness figure that career can no longer be a part of their future.
But wait a second. That’s one “frame” on the situation. True, it’s a frame that many people might adopt — including your doctor, your employer and your mother. For different reasons, any or all of those folks might think that living with illness means that you should not work or at least not work “hard”.
OK – I accept that this could be true with some illnesses in a “worse case” scenario. But more often, it’s not the case.
Are you wondering, ” How do I know if this illness will become so bad and stay so bad that I can never work?”
You don’t. Even if, at this moment, your condition is very debilitating, many chronic illnesses and conditions wax and wane. And new medical discoveries could improve your state of being.
So, why not think you can, think career and think long term. In her article, Steel Your Career, Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter’s likens honing a career to creating a good piece of solid steel. What an apt comparison! Jacqui’s a lyrical and precise writer (a good thing for a Master Resume Writer). Read it and think about how you CAN do this for yourself.
Yes, you live with an illness and you’d be foolish not to take that into account. So if you’re not sure how to do that, my Working With Chronic Illness Workbook is filled with self assessments and solid career planning info for the chronically ill (and you get a free call with me to get you started).
What is stopping you from doing this today?
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter says
Rosalind,
I’m delighted you referenced my article, “Steel Your Career” in your great “I think I can, I think I can” post. MANY of us have endured chronic issues in our life that start to debilitate our lives, our careers, our hopes, our dreams. Though I personally cannot relate to a chronic physical illness, I sympathize with those who do. Your spot-on, pragmatic encouragement, advice, coaching and spirit of hope in this (and all of your articles) is impressive.
By acknowledging one’s situation, then also acknowledging the opportunities available to build a career, one can (in most instances, I hope) work around the chronic illness. Realizing symptoms will wax and wane and that new medical discoveries always are possibilities, and that even with a chronic illness, one has choices and opportunities is a message of hope and optimism.
Well done, Rosalind! Keep up the great work!
Jacqui Poindexter (@ValueIntoWords)
Rosalind says
Thank you, Jacqui. You say it so well!
Bobby Hill says
How are you all today? Liking your blog a lot! I My sister told me about your blog. Cool!