Category: Soft Skills

Are you happy? Do you want to be happy? Are you on an eternal pursuit of happiness? I recently found through a new, young speaker at my Toastmasters Club, Strip View Speakers, that there are really only five key points to happiness - which is what we are all really in pursuit of.

Nick Vadney was giving his first speech and I was watched him with my own nervous anticipation of a first speech (when I gave my first speech the butterflies filled my belly from the moment my speech began to the moment the meeting finally adjourned) I was quickly relieved for Nick. His content was great and I was engaged! I want to share with you what I learned from Nick.

altNick shared with us that what most of us want out of life is to be HAPPY! So how do we get there? It's actually pretty simple. A college roommate of Nick's shared with him that inside of each of us, there is a good dog and a bad dog. All we need to do to live happily ever after is feed the good dog. Nick shares five things you can feed your good dog to remain positive and happy throughout your life.

  1. Surround Yourself with Greatness - we tend to be like the people we spend our time with. Human nature is to adapt to our surroundings. You may think you are above the influence, but the fact is no one is completely immune. Make your circle of influence a positive one and you will be naturally positive.
  2. In with the Good, Out with the Bad - what do you fill your head with everyday? Bad news, depressing songs? Fill your head with positive, up-lifting music, watch positive programs and learn from experts on how to be positive. It seems like common sense, but how many of us actually practice it?
  3. Serve Others - the quickest way to forget about your problems is to help someone else with theirs. The best kind of service is the kind where the person you serve can do nothing for you in return. (I agree with, Nick! This just gives me the best kind of warm fuzzy when helping another, just because I can). Any kind of service will do but keep in mind, selfless service is the cure for the common bad attitude!
  4. Give Thanks - write down everything you are grateful for (and don't wait for November to do it!). You will be surprised at how much you already have. People of gratitude attract more of the same into their life.
  5. Verbalize Positive Statements Daily - replace negative self-talk with positive reinforcement. Say empowering phrases out loud every day.

altNick concludes that if you can't remember these five points, just remember...feed the good dog.

 

*A special thanks to Nick Vadney, fellow Toastmaster, for letting me share his five points to a happier life. I know our readers will enjoy it!

Jasmine Freeman, Chief Executive Assistant to CEO, Office Dynamics

Category: Career

From The Joan Burge Blog, a segment of her 4th Quarter Success Strategies

Do you feel like December is just a blur of days? Monday runs into Tuesday, Tuesday runs into Wednesday and so forth? Are things lightening up for you at work, or at they actually intensifying?

 

Well, just like we have the 12 Days of Christmas, I have my 12 Survival Tips for the Hurried Holidays! You can also view this message in video format by clicking here.

  1. Delegate as much as possible.
  2. Get those you support at work to support you.
  3. Set realistic goals for yourself. It's better to under promise and over deliver.
  4. Search for alternatives. Is there a simpler way, a faster way, a better way to do things.
  5. Focus on tasks of high value. Don't get caught up in a lot of busy work.
  6. Take a break! This will help cope with your overload at work. Stand, walk, get away from your desk for a little bit.
  7. Remember that you are human and you can only do so much.
  8. Keep a good, positive attitude! Be upbeat.
  9. Take a break at home, too! Sit down and relax. Enjoy some hot chocolate.
  10. Get the kids involved.
  11. Get away; don't have everything at your place this year.
  12. Just focus on today, it's all we have. We can only get so much done in a day so just focus on today and tomorrow will come naturally.

Joan Burge

www.officedynamics.com 

Category: Career

 

This entry stems from my original entries at "The Joan Burge Blog" where many of the readers and our clients wanted me to share my top tips for success as an administrative professional. At first it was hard for me to think up my own tips but when I assessed my career and what things I have tried to do consistently that have always helped me along in my career I came up with these "Top 10 Tips" for you. I hope you enjoy.

Top 10 Tips for Administrative Success

Now it's your turn, what are your success tips or at least your number one tip for success as an administrative professional today - please share in the comments section below.

Category: Career

altOne of our followers asked me to blog about accepting a lower-level admin job. She wrote, "In this economy, more admins are finding themselves in this situation. Can it impact future hiring possibilities like it can in other professions?"

Here is my take on this as an employer. If I were to see a resume for an Executive Assistant or Administrative Assistant and looked at that person's work history and saw career progression other than in one place, I would think to myself any of the following:

"What happened that created this person to accept a position that may be considered a step back in their profession?"

"Something must have happened that caused this person to take a step back." There are so many things can affect our career choices ranging from finances to spouse's career, children, aging parents, the economy and more.

A red flag would go up if I saw one step forward, one step back, one step forward, one step back and so on. Or if I saw one step forward, two steps back. A potential employer is looking at the overall career path. If you had enough on your resume to peak my interest and place you in the competition, I would ask you what happened when I met you in person.

Over the past year, I have read and heard numerous stories of people with degrees taking full time jobs at Pizza Hut! With what has gone on this year, everyone is going to be more understanding in the future when they start staffing up again.
 

Category: Miscellaneous

Recipe for a Happy Holidayalt

2 dashes of positive attitude

3 tablespoons of humor

2 teaspoons of forgiveness

3 pinches of energy

2 cups of relaxation

1/2 cup of organization

1 quart of living in the moment

 

Enjoy your holidays!

Category: Miscellaneous