A Great Day's Work

Advice for Management

Why Not Stand Out?

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There are millions of administrative professionals throughout the world doing what you do each day. Are you pushing yourself to stand out to become indispensable?  Or are you settling to blend in with the others in your office or perhaps even worse desiring to go unnoticed?

What projects, tasks, programs, or relationships are you driving forward each day in your workplace? What did you make happen yesterday?  What did you make happen today?  What more can you still make happen today before your workday end?  Seek the desire to live each day in a forward motion. [Read more…] about Why Not Stand Out?

How Going Off-site Can Improve Meetings and Training Sessions

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The sharing economy has evolved beyond car rides and used clothing and has arrived at the office building – but what does that mean for your training sessions?

In fact, both companies and employees alike can not only benefit from but genuinely enjoy offsite meetings, even when training is something they viewed previously as boring. It’s obvious why these meetings are popular – but are they worth more than the typical boardroom training session. [Read more…] about How Going Off-site Can Improve Meetings and Training Sessions

See Life as a Journey, Your Journey

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47396749 - see life as journey - inspiration phrase on a slate blackboard with chalk and cup of tea

I am thankful that life did not turn out the way I had planned.  Why?  The life I had planned for myself when I was a teenager would have been so boring!  I would have married the wrong guy (trust me, he was the wrong guy), and I would have limited myself in so many ways.

My journey into adulthood began in 1991 after graduating from high school.  I enrolled at a local community college and worked two part-time jobs.  Several weeks into my first college semester, I received a confirmation by mail that I had been accepted by an out-of-state college.  I moved the following semester.  My parents bought me luggage, a one-way airplane ticket, a Greyhound Bus ticket, and sent me off in the dead of winter to Rexburg, Idaho.  With no car, no cell phone, and two suitcases in tow, I was dropped off late one evening by a shuttle driver outside my college dorm. [Read more…] about See Life as a Journey, Your Journey

Stand Tall and Step Forward

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58138333 - motivational message written with wooden blocks. image cross processed for retro look

We have the opportunity and responsibility to be involved in a variety of communities that impact our world today.  What community resonates with your heart?

I have a deep appreciation for leaders who choose to serve in public office to support local, regional, state, and national governance.  I care about the participation, engagement, and leadership within associations, churches, non-profit organizations, businesses, and governments.  I admire individuals who look beyond what they can receive to focus on what they can give.  I am thankful for people who choose to give of their time and resources to support good causes, events, and have a positive impact in the world we live in. [Read more…] about Stand Tall and Step Forward

International Travel Checklist: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

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56755952_sHave you added TRAVO to your list of resources to assist you in planning trips to meetings and events?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Don’t delay!  TRAVO offers an incredible planning tool for administrative professionals, and it’s FREE!

Over the last couple of months, I have had the opportunity to meet and connect with members of the TRAVO team via video conference, phone, and email.  I am impressed with the TRAVO team’s enthusiasm to provide administrative professionals with a useful tool to save us time.

Tae Lee, CEO and founder of the event based trip planning tool TRAVO, has some great tips to share related to international travel.

[Read more…] about International Travel Checklist: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Make the Right Daily Choices

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52179501_sLife is hard. In fact, life can be really, really hard.  What’s important is that we try and then try a little harder to move through life’s challenges.

The good news is that our days are filled with choices—our choices.  Are you taking action and making the right daily choices to ensure that you enjoy a satisfying life?  If not, what is stopping you?

Today is the start of a new day! Today you have the opportunity to choose what you will do and who and what will occupy your time.  Perhaps you can start something new.  Perhaps you can let go of something that is holding you back.  Consider the possibility of committing to refocusing on what matters most to you as you evaluate your overall happiness and well-being.  Choose to make you a priority.  Do things that make you smile! [Read more…] about Make the Right Daily Choices

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

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