Do you struggle to take accurate meeting notes? Are you constantly worried that you’re going to miss something important? How do you know what’s worth writing down and what’s not? As an admin, you probably have to take meeting minutes, phone messages, and even...
If an administrative professional from the 1950s happened to be magically transported to today’s office, they’d be in for quite a shock! Gone are the days when filing, phone skills, and semi-legible shorthand were key requirements for an admin job. Today’s job...
As a speaker, I like to start my sessions on innovation by asking assistants to think back on the things that used to be a part of the office when they started in the field, but aren’t anymore. It’s usually a fun little jaunt down memory lane as we share flashbacks of...
One of the first productivity concepts we all learn is to avoid perfectionism, and most of us do make the attempt. Even so, it’s an insidious habit, one reinforced rather than overridden by many leaders. Often, your managers want you to get things right the first...
As an administrative professional, you understand just how much structure and organization comes into play on a daily basis. You probably have multiple systems and procedures that allow you to create order and inspire productivity. But with so many people and...
Are you a workaholic? The dictionary defines a workaholic as someone who compulsively works hard and puts in long hours. While this alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the problem develops when it becomes habitual.It’s fair to say I used to be a workaholic.A few...
Guest post by Eleanor Whitney, Managing Editor of All Hands As an administrative or office operations professional, keeping your team productive, efficient, and on-task is your main focus. Unfortunately, this responsibility can leave you feeling stretched, thin, and...
Guest post by Eleanor Whitney, Managing Editor of All Hands These days, design inspiration is everywhere. As we scroll through Instagram, admiring like-worthy workspaces and decor details, it’s easy to look around our own spaces and think about how to adjust the...
I don't know how I'd navigate the relationships in my life without understanding personality types and strengths. My husband and I have daily discussions about interactions with family members and colleagues based on what we know or have observed about personality...
The term “collaboration” has a number of interrelated meanings in the working world. In one sense, it refers to broad community efforts designed to make work-life easier and more productive for everyone. In another, it applies to delegation: the practice of handing...
This article was updated on March 8, 2018. There is one mistake that almost everyone, including admins, make on a regular basis, but most have no idea they’re even doing something wrong until it’s (literally) too late. Referencing the wrong time zone is something...
Do you struggle to stay focused on your work during the day? Are office distractions and interruptions stealing your time and sabotaging your productivity? Even the most organized admins can’t accomplish much if they can’t focus on one thing. But the problem often...