A Great Day's Work

Advice for Management

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!

The To-Do List: Use What Works Best for You

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6305150_sToday’s administrative professional has a variety of choices available when it comes to tracking To-Do’s. Businesses are making a fortune printing calendars and planners, creating apps, improving and designing software, and inventing gadgets to help us as administrative professionals be successful in meeting the demands of each work day.  In addition to these systems, we can also elect to use electronic reminders, maintain a running To-Do List, use sticky notes, and send text messages or emails that can be sent to ourselves to help us fulfill our commitments.

[Read more…] about The To-Do List: Use What Works Best for You

Every Day is a New Adventure

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On January 1, Adventure2016, I kicked off the New Year wanting to experience something new every day for 366 days.  (Yes, it is leap year!)  Why do I want to experience something new?  I’m a creature of routine and habit.  I like what I like, and I stick with it, but not this year!  This year I am committed to having 366 new experiences.

I announced my 2016 adventure on Facebook at the beginning of the year.  Why?  It created accountability, and now my friends and family text, call, and ask:  “What is today’s adventure going to be?”  My reply is “Wait and see.”  Since the beginning of the year, I have been posting my new experiences and pictures daily.  Setting this new goal for 2016 was not the hard part.  The hard part was making the decision I would have 366 new experiences and post daily. [Read more…] about Every Day is a New Adventure

Wise or Foolish—What Do You Choose?

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I’m not going to lie to you.  After living through seven winters in Maryland, Idaho, and Utah, I am thankful to now spend my winters in California.  I love the sunshine and warmth of California winters.  However, I am mindful of the mandatory water conservation regulations and know California needs rain.

Rain 3

Over the last few weeks, Northern California has welcomed much needed rain and with that rain I am reminded of a song that I learned as a child entitled “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man.”  Are you familiar with this song?  The lyrics go something like this: [Read more…] about Wise or Foolish—What Do You Choose?

Gearing Up for 2016

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Me AgainOver the last couple of weeks, I have had the opportunity to spend a generous amount of time with my two sisters—Michele and Jennifer. They are two of my best friends and absolutely hilarious. If you haven’t met them yet, I hope you do someday.

My sisters and I reunited for the holidays a bit earlier than expected this year to honor the life of my Aunt Charlotte Taylor, who passed away this month at the age of 81 years old. My aunt, my mom’s sister, was a regular visitor in the Leitner household while I was growing up, and we will miss her. [Read more…] about Gearing Up for 2016

Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!!

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36004742_sWith the popularity of pop star singer Adele’s hit song “Hello” topping the charts, I am pretty sure I have heard the word “hello” more times this year than any other year in my life. Are you ready to say “Hello!” to 2016?

What do you look forward to saying goodbye to, and what do you look forward to welcoming in the new year ahead?

As I prepare for the upcoming year, I am ready to put my best foot forward with a renewed commitment, excitement, and wonder for what is ahead. How about you?  How are you gearing up for the New Year?  As I reflect upon this past year, I appreciate all the good (and yucky stuff!) that impacted my life. However, it will not define 2016.  What will define 2016 will be up to me.  What I do to plan, and how I choose to react to the future ahead is up to me.  I am ready to move beyond 2015 and embrace 2016 with enthusiasm! [Read more…] about Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!!

There’s A First Time for Everything

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TurkeyWhen was the last time you did something for the very first time? Was it today? Yesterday? Last week?

A couple of weeks ago I called my sister, Michele, and asked if she would participate with me in the 10th Annual Run for Food on Thanksgiving Day.  This popular event is a 5K run/walk through Chico, California’s beautiful Bidwell Park.  Michele agreed, and we registered online.  Upon registering, I had 96 hours to train before the big event. Yikes! I had never registered or participated in a 5K run/walk EVER! [Read more…] about There’s A First Time for Everything