Since posting the above comments I have been thinkin gabout this topic a lot this morning.

This ultra positive thinking and motivation concept is fine to a point then, due to our mental illness, as we are on the extreme of thoughts and behaviours, we need to get somethings into perspective.

For example. In 1982 when I was at that lecture with Bill the insurance guy, my whole negative thinking nature changed there and then. It was like a bolt out of the sky. I knew I was a negative person and needed to change,.that lecture was the vehicle by which allowed me to make that change.

Regardless of my new self, a conquer my world mentality, it didnt erase my illness and the traps that came with it. For example, it didnt stop my move to attempting my suicide in 1996. It might have been responsible for recovering from it however. The beauty of a positive outlook is- that you find positives in every situation. I went away from that ordeal vowing never to head down that road again. That regardless of the 11 years of emotional abuse I suffered at the hands of my first wife, that a life isnt worth sacrificing to escape another persons actions.

This means that your illness should be accommodated along with this newfound positive outlook and fighting spirit. After a while you learn to implement your goals and determination when you are well enough to do so. Being ill, unmotivated and depressed means you are incapable of being positive, it doesnt mean you have failed at that time. Waiting for the opportunity to be positive is the key.

The final point I'd like to make in this is teamwork. If you have a partner try to allow for an hour or so weekly and draw up constingency plans for the next week in how to obtain employment. Two heads are better than one. Also such a conversation helps your partner know that you are trying. too often partners that have a job feel they are taking the load for the house finances alone. The persception of mentally ill staying at home and not being motivated also places doubt in a partners mind at times, that they are carrying you. Prevention is better than cure, communicate effectively once a week with those plans to work together in overcoming the problem.

All this theory is good knowledge. Bare in mind that regardless of these insights I have barriers and instability that stops me from working at all. I'm fully aware of the issues with wanting to work but cannot. My messages are here to encourage those of you that have a capacity to work but cannot find work regardless of trying. 

Good luck. Remember, the self praise is essential for the effort in going out there looking for work not only when you finally secure a job. Looking for work is what you can control, getting the job is out of your control.

WK