A Great Day's Work

Success

Do You Have the Desire for Learning and Growth?

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A person who wants to grow needs a desire to learn. On a scale of 1-10, what’s your desire for learning?

Now, take a moment to do a job search for positions you would be interested in considering now or in the near future. Read about the qualities of the ideal candidate. Are you equipped with the work experience, skills, and qualities desired by the employer? Do you feel you are lacking in some key areas? Do you believe your cover letter and resume would be pulled by the Human Resources staff to schedule an interview among the hundreds of applicants? [Read more…] about Do You Have the Desire for Learning and Growth?

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?

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

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!

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

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!