Do chronic illness symptoms - -multiple sclerosis, colitis, fibromylagia or cancer, fill in the blank — crop up when you least expect them? Doesn’t it always seem to happen when there’s that big presentation at work or a major meeting requiring a plane flight and overnight stay? Or maybe it’s a regular day at work but you’ve already been out a few days this month?
I came back from a trip to San Francisco late last night. Before we left, my back was very painful, allergies were acting up and I had a stye in my eye. And the 6 hour plane flight with the 3 hour time difference always leaves me exhausted.
Good news is that the flying went smoothly and no delays either way. Although I have intensive work week, I”m pacing myself today. Didn’t schedule early client calls and could sleep later. So far, I feel fine. Whew
Even though I work for myself, there are meetings and events and client coaching calls that I’m scheduled to “show up” for. And just like an “employed” person, I can get sick. But just like any employed person, I think carefully about canceling or not meeting deadlines. Not only do I lose money for lost “billable” hours. More importantly, people who hire me need to know that I’m reliable.
Which leads me to wonder: How do I make decisions about when to work or not when my health is concerned? Although self employment was discussed in my book, Women Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend!, I didn’t address this issue.
But reading Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog post, How Do You Know When You’re Too Sick To Work: The Freelancer’s Guide To Illness, I realized that I treat myself asmy toughest and fairest supervisor would have - had I been fortunate to have such a being!
Do chronic illness symptoms - -multiple sclerosis, colitis, fibromylagia or cancer, fill in the blank — crop up when you least expect them? Doesn’t it always seem to happen when there’s that big presentation at work or a major meeting requiring a plane flight and overnight stay? Or maybe it’s a regular day at work but you’ve already been out a few days this month?
I came back from a trip to San Francisco late last night. Before we left, my back was very painful, allergies were acting up and I had a stye in my eye. And the 6 hour plane flight with the 3 hour time difference always leaves me exhausted.
Good news is that the flying went smoothly and no delays either way. Although I have intensive work week, I”m pacing myself today. Didn’t schedule early client calls and could sleep later. So far, I feel fine. Whew
Even though I work for myself, there are meetings and events and client coaching calls that I’m scheduled to “show up” for. And just like an “employed” person, I can get sick. But just like any employed person, I think carefully about canceling or not meeting deadlines. Not only do I lose money for lost “billable” hours. More importantly, people who hire me need to know that I’m reliable.
Which leads me to wonder: How do I make decisions about when to work or not when my health is concerned? Although self employment was discussed in my book, Women Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend!, I didn’t address this issue.
But reading Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog post, How Do You Know When You’re Too Sick To Work: The Freelancer’s Guide To Illness, I realized that I treat myself asmy toughest and fairest supervisor would have - had I been fortunate to have such a being!