Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 19, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Adhering to the "Open Door" Policy By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Filed Under: Meetings , Prioritize I n my last job, I had my own office. I work in a large firm now where it’s mainly an open concept area, with only the managers having their own offices.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 29, 2010

Home About Contact Me Links Sitemap 10 Time Management Tips Posted by Ian McKenzie Written on September 29, 2010 If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. I’d like to post links to your articles from my blog but don’t see where to link them to! Thanks for visiting! Organize your errands into a single run.

Management 100

Management 2008 Ergonomics Stress 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 31, 2010

Home About Contact Me Links Sitemap 6 Secrets of Stress Management Posted by Ian McKenzie Written on May 31, 2010 If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. We’re going to drive to the west coast to enjoy a part of Vancouver Island we haven’t visited before. Thanks for visiting! I’m on vacation right now.

Stress 100

Stress Management 2010 Ergonomics 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

The following is an excerpt from the book The Milkshake Moment: Overcoming Stupid Systems, Pointless Policies and Muddled Management to Realize Real Growth by Steven S. Most managers simply get up and do what they want to do. Let’s can the empty slogans, take down the banners, and throwaway the T-shirts.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 AT&T Copyright 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 18, 2010

Schedule tasks appropriately – After lunch is not the best time to read the long, lulling policy eport. Try a “pick-me-up&# – Listen to high-energy music, so long as it doesn’t disturb co-workers or workflow. Eat a good breakfast for fuel and to avoid overeating at lunch. Breath deep, drink cold water, etc.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Policies Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 9, 2010

Manage paper effectively – Barbara Hemphill, author of The Paper Tiger, offers the FAT principle for paper burden: file it, act on it, or toss it. Make meetings effective – Managers can spend an average of 17 hours a week in meetings, and that doesn’t include preparation and follow-up time. Keep the office door closed.

Filing 100

Filing Ergonomics Cubicle Agenda 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 19, 2010

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. If you don’t like the picture that you are seeing, change to a more satisfying picture. Don’t try to accomplish more than is reasonable Will power is not the major ingredient when changing an aspect of your life, but a decision and commitment to yourself are.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Gifts Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

If you don’t stop the alarm, Nag will remind you every minute until you acknowledge the alarm. Nag’s controls let you set an alarm at the top of the hour, or at a set time away – such as, in 5 minutes, or an hour from now. If you want to fine-tune the alarm time, then simply press the time buttons again to add to the elapsed time.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Holidays Copyright 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 25, 2010

There couldn’t be anything further from the truth. Just because you are not in charge doesn’t mean you can’t effect change. For example, if you are holding a meeting with team members, make sure the agenda is set, action items are completed and that things don’t slip through the cracks.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Agenda Health Confidence 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Don’t go overboard with personalization. Don’t allow things to pile up. If your desk harbours mounds of papers, books, files and personal accessories, you may be adding unnecessary stress to your day. An organized desk — at school, home, or in your private office — will help you relax and become more productive.

Filing 100

Filing Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

NOVEMBER 8, 2010

The other day we shouldn’t worry about is tomorrow, with its impossible adversaries, its burden, its hopeful promise and poor performance. Author Unknown Related Posts: Quotes – April 7 Proverbs 27:1 Time Management Quotes from Benjamin Franklin Motivation Did you enjoy this post? We cannot undo a single act we performed.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics 2010 Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 9, 2010

Don’t worry if there is an overlap of strengths from one success to another, that is to be expected. If you can’t find three types of strengths for each success, at least try to find three different strengths over the five successes. Ask someone for help with this exercise. Look at your current work and activities.

Self Esteem 100

Self Esteem Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 21, 2010

Don’t burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your minor aches and pains and small disappointments. Discuss but don’t argue. Don’t be too anxious about the credit due you. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as a person of importance. Be cheerful. Keep an open mind.

Gossip 100

Gossip Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 4, 2010

However, you don’t have to wait for ideal conditions or tools to get started. Do your best to manage your time and your life so that you are able to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that you are productive and producing at a level you are satisfied with at all times. Thanks for visiting!

Telecommuting 100

Telecommuting Ergonomics Health 2006 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 28, 2010

Don’t send spam. For further reading: The 10 Commandments of Email 3 Tips for Writing Business Email 4 Tips for Basic E-mail Management Related articles by Zemanta E-mail ettiquette–Jasmine’s Tech Dos & Don’ts (reviews.cnet.com) Guide to Ensuring Good Communication in Projects (business-project-management.suite101.com)

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Email Health Forms 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 3, 2010

Smart managers never overlook this fact: loyal, productive employees are one of your biggest assets. R-e-s-p-e-c-t Everyone wants to be treated with respect. As a manager, your words, body language, even your facial expressions make a huge difference in how employees perceive your opinion of them. What you need?

Gifts 100

Gifts 2010 Ergonomics Cubicle 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 14, 2010

Video clip: “Gotta get my stuff done” Procrastinators actively look for distractions, particularly ones that don’t take a lot of commitment on their part. This is post 6 of my series: Inside the Mind of a Procrastinator. Checking e-mail is almost perfect for this purpose. Get rid of the knick-knacks, games and toys tools.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2010 Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 14, 2010

Don’t scribble it at the back of an envelope or a bill. Don’t write one message at the edge of another one. If the pen stops working in the middle of the call, you shouldn’t be putting the caller on hold to go searching for a replacement. Here are some tips on how to take a proper, accurate telephone message.

Phones 100

Phones 2010 Ergonomics Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 19, 2010

Taking on more than you can manage only leads to frustration as nothing gets done very well. Don’t answer the phone or e-mail. That will give you the confidence to manage your work assertively. Ian’s Messy Desk Helping you get the most out of the 24 hours in your day. Thanks for visiting!

Assertiveness 100

Assertiveness Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 21, 2010

But it doesn’t mean that I can’t control it. Nothing was important enough to interfere with my television watching. wanting control; being unhappy with the person in charge; feeling I should have been the boss, so procrastination gets a passive-aggressive twist. just to be irritating; a variation on the previous reason.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 14, 2010

5 Ways to Deal (lifescript.com) Workplace Democracy: Corporate Style (seeingtheforest.com) Related Posts: 7 tips for Stronger Self-Discipline 24 Time Management Tips 10 Things you Don’t Want to Hear from Your Real Estate Agent Communication Did you enjoy this post? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail.

Gossip 100

Gossip Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 26, 2010

Don’t worry – Every time you start to worry about things you don’t have, ask yourself this question, “How much difference is this going to make in five years?” Don’t get me wrong, discontent can be a useful thing. When did you start noticing the dents and rust; the scratches in the paint job? It’s not worth the effort.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2010 Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 22, 2010

T erritorial zones/touch – Find the appropriate balance of distance; too close invades personal space, while too far may seem like you’re not interested. Don’t slouch; but don’t sit like you’re at military attention. Stay relaxed and lean forward a bit. By avoiding eye contact, you appear anxious, uninterested and bored.

Learning 100

Learning Ergonomics Health Confidence 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 30, 2010

Stop exaggerating I’ve said it a million times, don’t exaggerate! Even if you process 1,000 sheets of page this week, you won’t have done much more than ten pounds worth of work. Related articles by Zemanta Why Worry About Something That You Can’t and Won’t Change?

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2007 AT&T 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 28, 2010

Don’t sacrifice information for the sake of brevity. Answers after the jump. Answers Answer a ringing phone by the third ring. Set up your voice mail to answer after the third ring. Saying “hello&# may be quick, but it’s not useful. At the very least, answer with your name. Harvey Trailer speaking.&# and 9:00 p.m.

Etiquette 100

Etiquette Ergonomics Phones Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 7, 2010

If a visitor comes into your office, stand up to greet them and don’t invite them to sit down. With a little courtesy and the above steps, you shouldn’t have to resort to such drastic measures. Doesn’t alsways work so after a brief, pleasant chit-chat I simply tell folks that I am busy. Stand up for visitors.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

If something like this happens to you, you don’t need to panic. Don’t leave your presentation hanging. Comment by Lauren Elder on July 1, 2008 @ 8:33 am Got a wedding coming up and couldn’t even comprehend doing a speech without planning it out. 5) Conclude the presentation.

2008 100

2008 Ergonomics Health Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 2, 2010

Then, you’re back in the office after a long unplanned break: the message light on the phone is blinking; both your e-mail and hard-copy in-boxes are overflowing; last week’s next actions are now overdue; you staff and my manager all want a piece of you; and you just want to go home a crawl back into bed. Meet: Sit down with co-workers.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2008 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 31, 2010

If you didn’t start planning Christmas in August, you can relieve some of December’s pressure by putting these on your November to-do list. Christmas organizing and planning links Here we are at the end of August, two-thirds of the way through 2010. In no time, we’ll be into the annual holiday season.

Holidays 100

Holidays Gifts Calendars 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 18, 2010

T – Take control of your life. F – Family and Friends – are life’s greatest ‘F’ treasures. Don’t loose sight of them. G – Give more than what is enough. Where does motivation and self improvement take place at work? When you exert extra effort in doing things. H – Hang on to your dreams. Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah build the ark.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Clothes 2006 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 11, 2010

Get Out in Front Don’t hide behind your material. You can’t buy confidence on eBay. If you really want your confidence to sky rocket, be totally and thoroughly prepared. The more prepared you are to give a talk, the more confident you become. Try to memorize your opening, your stories, and your closing.

Confidence 100

Confidence Ergonomics Health PowerPoint 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 9, 2010

That’s when she noticed that one member, Bob, wasn’t writing anything down. I don’t want to tell you how to do your job,” Lynn began, “but I noticed you’re weren’t writing down any of your assignments.” Don’t manage anyone at work? Released Time Management Tip Productivity Did you enjoy this post?

UPS 100

UPS Filing Holidays Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

Don’t expect it to happen overnight, but expect it to happen. Don’t give up. One of my favourite cartoons shows the character contemplating Spring, and she says, “Time to go out in the garden to see if the bulbs I didn’t plant, didn’t come up.&# It will happen. Fix it later.

2007 100

2007 Lifestyle 2008 Goals 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 1, 2010

As a manager , you’re expected to juggle priorities and take responsibility for the quality of your work and the work of your team members’. With competing pressures and responsibilities, it’s not a surprise managers and supervisors are high risk for burnout. Manage expectations. Thanks for visiting! What is Burnout?

Stress 100

Stress Health Mentoring Ergonomics 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 7, 2010

Make a list of all you can’t stand about work/life Those who are really stuck may complain that they don’t know what they want. Recognize that ALL change (good or bad) means loss The ‘evil’ we know is sometimes less scary than the ‘evil’ we don’t know. Reframe ‘I can’t!’

2010 100

2010 AT&T Health Ergonomics 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 14, 2010

Don’t be a pest. Don’t tie up several hours of their time. The courses you take in school that shape your career are often at the instigation of a friend or counselor. The books you read, the tapes you listen to, and the seminars you attend are almost invariably the result of a suggestion from someone you respect.

Networking 100

Networking AT&T Health Policies 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 28, 2010

Initially it may take you longer to catch up if you have a large pile, but 15 minutes is manageable. Don’t leave half-completed projects sitting on your desktop. If you aren’t joining sheets of paper with tape, move the dispenser off the desk. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail.

2007 100

2007 Filing 2009 AT&T 100