Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 26, 2010

You don’t want papers to build up to the point where you look at it and you get discouraged. If you do keep stuff, keep it in a way so that it doesn’t jam up your life and you can find it again. Don’t keep routine memos or anything that gives you information you already know or have. File it, if necessary.

Management 100

Management Filing Ergonomics Health 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 23 January, 2010 I gave at the office Years ago when I was a child, I would canvass door to door with my sister for a charity for cancer research. Whether they had or hadn`t I was never sure, but I know today that offices do fundraise for charities and workers are happy to participate.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 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

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

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 5 April, 2010 When your boss arranges meetings behind your back. Does your boss ever organize a meeting behind your back? That makes it difficult when I am supposed to be organizing his calendar, but since I am responsible to organize his time and in spite of my frustration, I have to make it work.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 18, 2010

Try a “pick-me-up&# – Listen to high-energy music, so long as it doesn’t disturb co-workers or workflow. Instead, use these five tips to boost your energy. Get the morning right – Start your day with exercise. This will give an all-day energy boost. Eat a good breakfast for fuel and to avoid overeating at lunch.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Policies Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

.&# If something like this happens to you, you don’t need to panic. If you know how to organize your thoughts, and you know your job, you’re most of the way to giving an effective impromptu presentation. You can effectively respond by taking the following steps: Stop and think : Take a moment to organize your thoughts.

2008 100

2008 Ergonomics Health Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 21, 2010

But it doesn’t mean that I can’t control it. Revisited] | Organize to Revitalize! 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.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 4, 2010

However, you don’t have to wait for ideal conditions or tools to get started. Ask for advice Look around and identify those who seem to have their lives productive and organized. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail. Thanks for visiting! Get Started Now Productivity is a constant process.

Telecommuting 100

Telecommuting Ergonomics Health 2006 100

Ian's Messy Desk

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

I got carpal tunnels syndrome/tendinitis in 2000 & 2001 because I didn’t have good ergonomic advice, & didn’t take any initiative back then to seek it out. The problems can range from minor muscle aches that last less than a few hours to persistent tendon problems that can last for years.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Keyboards 2001 Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 28, 2010

For many organizations, e-mail has become the preferred means of communication, both formal and informal. Don’t send spam. with 7 Tips for Effective Email There is something about e-mail that fosters poor communication habits. Here are some tips to make your e-mail as effective and efficient as possible: Use short paragraphs.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Email Health Forms 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 8, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 8 April, 2009 April 22nd - Administrative Professionals Day It often amazes me that a day is set aside for our profession. How often I have organized a conference or arranged a Board meeting and after all the organization and planning it goes off without a hitch. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 13 March, 2010 Are you prepared? I like to be prepared and I find life just works better for me at home, work and even on the bus, when I am organized and ready for whatever is coming up. I organize my desk so everything is within easy reach and makes sense to the way I like to work.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 17, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 17 December, 2008 Anyone can be an Administrative Assistant, right? Here are the top qualities that an assistant must have: Be organized. Can I say that again – BE ORGANIZED! An assistant’s job is to organize the boss and in order to do that we must be organized ourselves.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 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

JULY 7, 2010

If yours is an organization that encourages less-formal communication, you may find people dropping by to discuss anything from last night’s big game to next week’s big presentation. If a visitor comes into your office, stand up to greet them and don’t invite them to sit down. Stand up for visitors.

2007 100

2007 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

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

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 12 July, 2010 Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgate, 2010 Stevie® Award winner Lynn Holgate, an Executive Assistant at High Performance Technologies, Inc. My goal for this blog is to give good tips and ideas and occasionally put a smile on your face as you start your day!Lets

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 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.” Lynn knew Bob was a competent guy. Yet, given the importance of this project, his casual approach concerned her.

UPS 100

UPS Filing Holidays Health 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

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 May, 2009 Getting your foot in the door. Would you take a job just to get your foot in the door of an organization you really wanted to work for, even if it was a position that you didnt want to make a career out of? Lets enjoy our day together.© 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 12, 2010

Three rules for effective time management : 1) Don’t Create Impossible Situations. Don’t get trapped into doing too much. Don’t multi-task. In order to save yourself a lot of time for more productive activities, ensure that you stay organized and that your environment is conducive to an effective lifestyle.

Management 100

Management Goals Ergonomics Agenda 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 1, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 2 July, 2010 We dont know what we dont know We really dont know what we dont know do we? One person can be great at software programs and know all sorts of tricks to get things done quickly and another might be excellent at organizing and managing their email account. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 July, 2010 Guest Blog by Alexis Bonari: 10 Easy Ways to Check and Maximize Time Management Photo from Flickr: Public Domain It’s not always about giving the boss her money’s worth – sometimes, it just feels great to know that work time is being managed well. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 May, 2010 Whose meeting is it anyway? The person sending out the request for the meeting and asking for dates would usually be considered the meeting organizer. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too!

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 December, 2009 Meetings Plus: Taking them offline I organize a lot of meetings in a day, week, month; heck, even into next year. There are a lot of good organizing tricks out there and whenever I find one that works, I pounce on it and it becomes something I cant work without.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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

JULY 21, 2010

Being organized and prepared makes it easier to grab opportunities for personal development in all areas of your life. After all, we only have a finite length of time but the snag is that we don’t know how long we have and when your time is up… As Jim Rohn said, “Time is more valuable than money.

Management 100

Management 2008 Ergonomics Health 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 14 February, 2009 Just a secretary. I have become familiar with time zones, airport codes and international holidays to avoid. I love the planning, organizing and running around that goes into bringing a conference from a thought to a successful event. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 11, 2010

Take courage from the fact that you have been asked to speak because the organizers feel you have something to say to their group. 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.

Confidence 100

Confidence Ergonomics Health PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 October, 2008 Working for the Disorganized. The argument could be said that the role of the assistant is to assist and keep your boss organized so we shouldnt complain when we have to do it. I have found the best way to cope is to keep yourself organized. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2008 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 6 September, 2008 Going Checklist Crazy I am organizing a Board meeting and I have checklists and to-do lists coming out of my ears. Being organized helps de-clutter any task and makes it more manageable and doable. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 11, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 11 October, 2009 That is not in my job description. And sometimes it isn’t, but from my experience if you read an administrative or executive assistant job description there is usually a phrase something like this, “providing administrative support.&# Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 19, 2010

Don’t answer the phone or e-mail. Ian’s Messy Desk Helping you get the most out of the 24 hours in your day. Home About Contact Me Links Sitemap How to Say ‘No’ at Work Posted by Ian McKenzie Written on May 19, 2010 If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Assertiveness 100

Assertiveness Ergonomics Health Gifts 100