Even In The Midst Of…Stay Focused

Welcome and thank you for joining us as we continue the journey from one side of the workspace to the other, highlighting those things along the pathway that have been helpful or perhaps distractions to be overcome! Our hope continues to be that there is something discovered through my journey via the Ticket-To-Work Program (MEO Style), back into the workspace, that will be helpful to those with (dis)abilities and their support network.

As I’ve shared, previously, the world doesn’t slow down or wait for us because we have a (dis)ability. There are days and decisions that remind me of waiting for the right moment to hop onto a merry-go-round. Once we’re on, we’re on, and can choose to stand, sit on a bench or even a horse, we have choices. Whichever we choose, there are supports all around for us to hold onto as the merry-go-round continues to do what it does…go around and around.

Holding on, once we’re on, isn’t the greatest challenge. I believe the greatest challenge is getting the courage to take the leap onto the merry-go-round in the first place. And once the decision is made, there is the challenge of figuring out the right time to take the leap…should I…should I not…can I. As we move back and forth in hesitation and/or anticipation of jumping back into the workspace, it’s not an easy decision and should not be made without all the answers to what gives us pause. Accurate answers and information, yield positive outcomes that work in our favor.

The first intake person I spoke with at My Employment Options (MEO), was very welcoming, patient and thorough. No one comes through the virtual doors of MEO without speaking with her. She’s been doing what she does for 17 years, which means that she has been the encouragement that countless people, just like me, have needed in order to take that next step. After speaking with her, I just knew that I had made it to the right place. I have a need to know, so I ask a lot of questions before making a decision about something I’m not familiar with and certainly something that could impact the SSDI that I was receiving at the time. She was very knowledgeable and by the time I finished speaking with her, I was eager for the next step. She told me who the next person was, who would be contacting me and when, and sure enough, I got the call when she said I would.

My second intake person, who is no longer with us on this side of Glory, was equally as compassionate and knowledgeable as the first. Although she is no longer with us, she has left her forever mark on me and the entire MEO Family. Her kindness and wisdom confirmed what I already knew…I had found the right place for me. She walked me through the entire process in more detail and was very patient with my many questions. 😊

They were both so pleasant to speak with and they felt familiar, as if I’d always known them. Some things you can only see through the rear-view mirror of life, so when I look back, I realize that the first intake was more about MEO assessing if I had what I needed for them to help me be successful, using their platform, or if a different style of the TTWP would be a better fit. I really appreciated the honest approach. And so, the second intake was more about my decision after hearing all that they had to say about the Ticket-To-Work Program (MEO Style), and making my own informed decision regarding if MEO was a good fit for me…and so it was.

Staying focused in order to make the best decision for you can be even more difficult these days. The fear of the unknown is real and difficult to ignore. Staying focused is easier said than done, but it does pay off. And even when we try, but get distracted, don’t give up…try again…refocus. Even in the midst of all that’s going on in our lives, focusing and refocusing keeps us from remaining stuck. If you are in the, should I or should I not work phase…stay focused on gathering the information you need to make an informed decision. If you’ve decided you want to work and are in the job search phase…for some it will be easy and for others, not so much…but stay focused on applying until you find a job that’s a good fit for you or prepares you for the one that is. If you’re already on a job and want to retain it…work through the distractions…and stay focused. And if you have a job, but you know it’s not your last stop…stay focused on your ultimate goal.

I wasn’t satisfied, as I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, with my first job back into the workspace after being diagnosed with a (dis)ability, but it set me up for what was to come. As I work from the other side of the MEO table, I use many of the skills that I learned in that job, to help my clients with their journey back into the workspace. Our experiences are transferable, reusable and recyclable. None of it’s lost.

Distractions are going to come in many different forms and even directions. Some will feel overwhelming and others not so much, but are ever present. Some will be here today and gone tomorrow and yet others will linger for a while. But we get to choose if, or how much, we will allow distractions to impact our focus away from living our lives and achieving the goals that we’re working hard to realize. I look at life differently on this side of my (dis)ability. I try not to take any of it for granted and I’m working at becoming more intentional. It has been a process of moving from existing to living to feeling alive.

Staying focused in the midst of…is not easy, but it is doable and worth it for the sake of your peace, your health and your goals. So, remind yourself to stay focused and give yourself grace when you get distracted for a moment and need to refocus. Thank you as always for stopping in and sharing some of your time, which is your life, with us today. I can’t believe we’ve been blogging on this journey for a year already! Take good care and I wish you all the best, wherever you are on your journey!

**If this is your first visit to our blog site, please feel free to visit previous blogs. If you’re interested in more information regarding applying for the MEO Ticket to Work Program…click here: https://myemploymentoptions.com/apply-now/