It’s 5:30 a.m., and the alarm goes off. Another morning. My joints ache, and my brain feels foggy. My body says, “Stay in bed.” My mind replies, “You can’t. You’ve got work to do.”
I hit snooze, hoping ten more minutes might help.
When your morning starts with a negotiation between your mind and your body, you know it’s going to be one of those days. You also know it’s bad when you’ve set two alarms; one titled “Time to make the donuts” and another that says “For real. Get out of bed,” hoping a bit of humor might help.
Eventually, I can’t hit snooze anymore. People depend on me. Responsibilities don’t pause because my body hurts. So, I get up … slow, stiff, and already tired.
As I get ready, I mentally walk through my day: five meetings, a staff training over lunch, endless emails. I can already tell it’s going to take every ounce of energy I have, plus some.
The Hidden Struggle in the Workforce
In the U.S., the “working age” is generally defined as 16 to 65. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 170 million people either working or looking for work. Among adults aged 18 to 64, about 76% have at least one chronic condition.
A chronic condition is any illness or disease that lasts more than a year, requires ongoing medical care, and limits daily activity in some way: from ADHD and depression to diabetes, lupus, or long-term cancer. For autoimmune conditions specifically, onset typically occurs in early to middle adulthood. The very years we are expected to build our careers, raise families, and lead.
It’s not far-fetched to say that there are people you work with, maybe even the ones you admire most, that are carrying an invisible struggle every day. Having a chronic health condition while trying to lead and contribute meaningfully at work (and home) can be incredibly hard … and at times profoundly lonely.
When Leadership Meets Limitation
There are days when questions swirl:
What is this costing me? How is this changing how I show up? Am I even capable of leading the way I want to with these limitations?
Those thoughts are hard to admit, but for many, they are real.
When you’re battling something chronic, there’s no “pushing through for a few weeks” until things get better. This is the long game. It’s daily, unrelenting, and often times, defeating. It can chip away at confidence and make you question your capability.
But here’s the truth: your struggle does not disqualify you from leadership. It provides you the gift of learning how to lean in to purposeful choices, develop discernment, and embrace empathy.
The Power of Perspective
Every one of us faces a choice, whether we have a chronic condition or not. We can let our circumstances define our limitations, or we can choose to rise to them. We can choose to find strength in what was meant to weaken us.
There’s tremendous power in perspective. It’s not about pretending everything is fine or ignoring pain. It’s about embracing your reality, acknowledging its weight, and still deciding to show up. Some days, maybe slower, maybe softer, but still you.
Our challenges can become part of our story in a way that deepens our empathy, resilience, and courage if we allow them to.
Breaking the Silence
Let’s be honest: it’s hard. Some days, unbearably so. And what I’ve learned over the years is this: it’s the silence that steals our hope.
When we stay silent, we isolate. We convince ourselves no one could possibly understand.
I recognize that sharing personal information at work is complex. It’s vulnerable and carries real risk — of being judged, misunderstood, or treated differently. Navigating privacy, trust, and legal protections isn’t simple.
Not everyone deserves to know your full story. Each person must decide what feels safe to share and with whom. Whether that support comes from within your workplace or outside of it, the goal is the same: don’t carry the weight in silence.
When we find safe spaces to share, to be known, and to be seen as whole instead of broken, something shifts.
It’s in that connection that we begin to move from merely surviving to thriving.
Sustainable Strategies for Work and Well-Being
True productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most. When we measure progress by meaningful outcomes instead of strictly hours worked, we create space for both impact and well-being.
Redefine what “productive” means.
Focus on high-priority work and give yourself permission to spend less energy on what is less essential. Purpose, not pace, defines productivity.
Budget energy, not just time.
Energy is a limited resource. Plan demanding tasks when your energy is highest, save routine work for lower-energy windows, and schedule intentional recovery breaks to stay sustainable.
Be selective about what you share.
You don’t owe anyone your full story to ask for support. Instead, describe what helps you work best. Whether that’s flexibility, predictable scheduling, or a change in environment or ergonomic resources.
Protect recovery like it’s part of the job.
Real rest matters. Respect stop times, take restorative breaks (like a real lunch), and be proactive with self-care instead of waiting until you’re depleted.
Plan for hard days.
Have a simple “bad day” plan so you can respond with grace instead of frustration. That may be lower-intensity tasks, lighter meetings, or adjusted expectations.
Choose sustainability over speed.
Growth may look slower when you prioritize balance, but it’s far more enduring. Success isn’t about constant motion; it’s about building a rhythm you can sustain.
By redefining productivity around energy, clarity, and purpose, you set yourself up for progress that is sustainable.
A Final Thought
If you are leading through pain, fatigue, or invisible illness, know this: you are not alone, and your story still matters. Your strength does not come from having it all together. It comes from showing up even when things fall apart.
So, tomorrow morning, when the alarm goes off and the battle begins again, remember this: getting up is an act of courage. And courage, not perfection, is a characteristic of a true leader.
Coaching for Leaders Navigating Chronic Illness
If this message resonates with you, if you have ever found yourself leading through exhaustion, fog, or self-doubt, I want you to know there’s space for your story. Coaching offers a safe, supportive environment to help you rediscover your strength, redefine success, and find balance that truly fits your reality.
Together, we can uncover what leadership looks like when it’s grounded in authenticity, compassion, and sustainability. You are seen. You don’t have to carry it alone.
✨ Schedule a complimentary discovery session:
https://calendly.com/allison-mindset/coaching-discovery-call
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