UPDATE
PM
#40065782
P r o f e s s io n a l D e v e l o P M e n t f o r C a n a Da' s o f f iC e s u P P o r t s ta f f
Administrative
Assistant's
FEBRUARY 2015
UPDATE
Don't overthink
Here are some suggestions to
help you stop overanalyzing so
you can worry less and get more
done.
1. Set short time-limits for
decisions.
2. Stick to your deadlines.
3. Remind yourself that you can't
control everything.
4. Try not to get lost in vague fears.
Ask yourself, "realistically,
what's the worst that could
happen?" It likely won't be as
scary as you think.
5. Be in the moment. Easily said but
tough to do. Connect with the
present by slowing down,
disconnecting so you can
reconnect, and spending more of
your time with people who don't
overthink things.
Source: Thomas Oppong,
www.AllTopStartups.com
InsIDE
Early bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Why being punctual is a good
trait for an admin to have.
Beyond to-do . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How a work diary helped Helen
Latimer regain work-life balance.
Sharper sentences . . . . . . . . . 5
Make your writing more clear
and precise.
Embracing change . . . . . . . . . 7
Change isn't going away.
Use it to thrive.
Continued on page 7
Credit:
CREATISTA/Shutterstock.com
Everyone wants you
Sure, you can help your co-workers
but you don't have to do it right now
By Ulla de Stricker
Have you ever been confronted
with an upset colleague or family
member who, right in front of
you, demands your immediate
attention and an immediate
decision?
It happens to a lot of admins, be-
cause they tend to be good listeners
and problem-solvers. The trick is to
be aware of what we owe to oth-
ers—right this moment.
Common decency stipulates that
we respond with attention and com-
passion to any person in a distraught
state or to anyone requesting our as-
sistance. But there are limits to what
we owe others. For example, we
are not required to join into others'
drama or to be at their beck and call.
Asking for time is usually an effec-
tive solution:
• Oh, that does sound alarming.
Would it work for you if we talk
after lunch so I can give your situa-
tion my full attention?
• In order to give you a thorough ac-
count of the matter, I will consult
my files and other appropriate
sources. How would it be if I were
to get back to you by tomorrow at
four p.m.?
• I am aware of your concern and will
give it due attention once I have
had an opportunity to consider
the pertinent aspects; by Thursday
