A Great Day's Work

Stacy

Don’t Wish for a Satisfying Career, Work for It!

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50243243_sIf I were given the chance to change my career, would I?  No!  Why?  Working and serving in my role as an administrative professional makes me happy.  In fact the happiness I feel in my role is somewhat magical and brings joy to my life.

Working as an administrative professional gives me the opportunity to meet new people.  It challenges me to learn new technologies.  It also stretches me to accept and seek new work assignments.  The career of the administrative professional can be far from glamorous; however, the work is necessary, diverse, and important!  Even with the challenges of scheduling meetings, managing email, participating on teams, coordinating travel, and meeting critical deadlines–it’s all worth it!

I grew up with a typewriter and taking handwritten notes. As technology advanced, I learned to use a computer and eventually took computer application classes.  Does anyone remember WordPerfect 5.1?  Oh, how technology has evolved over the years. [Read more…] about Don’t Wish for a Satisfying Career, Work for It!

Introducing Clever Gift Giving By Sugarwish

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Sugarwish1Oh Marvelous Goodies (OMG!) Have you heard of Sugarwish?  Sugarwish offers a clever gift for just about anyone:  employee, client, family member, or friend.

Sugarwish flips the rewards and recognition process upside down by allowing the recipient to choose their gift. Yet, it doesn’t feel at all impersonal. In fact, the beautifully designed virtual Sugarwish candy store makes the gift-giving process feel even more personal. Gift giving has never been so easy!  You send a custom, branded e-card to the recipient who deserves some recognition, and they get to go candy shopping in a Sugarwish store (on your dime, of course). It’s a wonderful way to treat others to a shopping spree that won’t break your bank. [Read more…] about Introducing Clever Gift Giving By Sugarwish

Create the Mindset and Take Action to Nurture Your Career

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46391269_sHow long would you be able to live without food? Answer:  Many days.  How long would you be able to live without water?  Answer:  No more than a few days.  Water covers a good portion of the Earth and is vital to our existence.  According to Nestlé Waters, water has several functions some of which include:

  • Water carries nutrients to cells.
  • Water removes toxins.
  • Water helps to regulate body temperature.
  • Water is helpful to our joints and acts as a shock absorber.

Without water our bodies cannot perform at their best. Likewise, our careers can become “dehydrated” if we do not take the time to enrich and advance our skills and knowledge.  Fill your Professional Development Well by continuing to nurture training opportunities. [Read more…] about Create the Mindset and Take Action to Nurture Your Career

Join the Amazing Ride

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PicThis month we will honor and celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. In an effort to recognize and provide on-going support to administrative professionals, I am joining the Amazing Ride campaign to help raise money to support scholarships, education, and housing assistance for administrative professionals.  Won’t you join me in making a donation?  Every dollar counts!

The Foundation of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is helping to raise money that will provide opportunities for administrative professionals.  Let’s help to make a difference in the lives of others. [Read more…] about Join the Amazing Ride

The Value of Talking with Recruiters

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24914608_sWhy do you stay with your employer? Is it the Monday – Friday 9-5 work schedule?  Is it the extra time and resources you have been given to advance your professional development skills?  Do you like your work/life balance (job flexibility)?  Does the commute time benefit your lifestyle?  Is it the job satisfaction that you derive from your work responsibilities?  Does your company’s culture benefit you?  Does your salary allow you to maintain a reasonable lifestyle?

If the responsibilities you hold at work as an administrative professional are anything like mine, we both know that our workdays can be long, and there is little time throughout the day for professional development (That is for the early morning, late evenings, or weekends, right?). [Read more…] about The Value of Talking with Recruiters

The Value of Membership in Professional Organizations

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34123188_sAre you aware of the many professional organizations around the globe available for administrative professionals to certify skills, acquire education, receive recognition, participate in leadership roles, and engage in networking opportunities?

If so, what professional organizations do you belong to?  If not, Lucy Brazier, Publisher/Editor/CEO of Executive Secretary Magazine, offers a comprehensive listing of administrative professional organizations on the Executive Secretary Magazine website. Check it out! [Read more…] about The Value of Membership in Professional Organizations

Do Not Ignore Tuition Reimbursement Programs

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pizzaDoes your employer offer a tuition reimbursement program? If not, do you know what your employer is willing to pay for to help you gain knowledge and new skills that would help you to add additional value to the company?  If you don’t know the answer to these questions, find out immediately.  Do not, I repeat, do not leave this benefit of training dollars sitting on the table.

Investing in yourself is critical to your career and your future success. If you are not regularly engaged in professional development, you could be making a huge mistake. [Read more…] about Do Not Ignore Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Why I Work . . .

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Why I work2Why do I work? I was born into a family of love, not money. Out of necessity I work, and I work by choice as an administrative professional.  I love what I do.  Don’t you?

For most working professionals, we will spend more time at work than at home. Our workplace will become our second home, and our coworkers will become our extended family.  The decision about what we do for a career, who we work for, and who we work with is important.  In fact, these decisions are critical to our overall happiness and success. [Read more…] about Why I Work . . .

Demand the Best from Yourself Each Day

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24042583_mAre you demanding the best from yourself each day?

When was the last time you set aside time to really work on your greatest asset—You!

Administrative professionals can often times lose sight of their personal and professional development when spending their days, nights, and sometimes weekends supporting and caring for others (e.g. executives, managers, family members).

Demanding more from yourself requires time, commitment, and discipline. It also requires goal setting.  It requires new habits and routines.  It requires planning.  When we better our lives, we are in a greater position to enhance the lives of those around us. [Read more…] about Demand the Best from Yourself Each Day

Enjoy More than Friday!

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13002952_mMany people go through the motions of going to work each day only to look forward to Friday or the weekend.

It does not matter which day of the week it is. I love every day Sunday through Saturday! Why?  Because the outcome of each day is up to me, and I “choose” to have a great day every day!

Our work as administrative professionals is critically important to the day-to-day operations of government and business. I know this, and I hope you do, too!  Going to work is not something I dread nor should you.  Great satisfaction can be derived from working for a good employer and supporting executives and managers that value our contributions, building strong relationships with colleagues, nurturing friendships in the workplace, and doing work we enjoy. [Read more…] about Enjoy More than Friday!