Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 31, 2010

In no time, we’ll be into the annual holiday season. Here are links to Christmas and holiday related posts at Ian’s Messy Desk. Start Your Christmas Planning in August – Organized Christmas has a Holiday Grand Plan. Writing the perfect thought or holiday letter will make your Christmas greetings memorable.

Holidays 100

Holidays Gifts Calendars 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

If you want to reduce the stress associated with the holiday season, get an early start on holiday planning. Then December comes along and your stress level is higher than a mountain climber hanging off a cliff by his fingertips. Christmas is generally associated with love, joy and goodwill toward men.

Gifts 100

Gifts Holidays Stress Ergonomics 100

On The Job

NOVEMBER 5, 2010

For those of you have been in a shopping mall recently, I'm sure you've noticed the holiday decorations that hit the stores sometime after Flag Day in July. E-mail doesn't have to dominate your life, and you can put an end to e-mail being nothing but a huge time suck and stress-inducing activity, they claim.

Social Media 100

Social Media Calendars Email Filing 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 25, 2010

Have a Centralized Calendar. A family calendar can help you track what is going on for all family members. Back-to-school adds a whole new layer of commitments and stresses on top of the things that regularly need to be done. They don’t want to think about school a day earlier than necessary.

Clothes 100

Clothes 2007 Ergonomics Calendars 100

Practically Perfect PA

JANUARY 24, 2013

In last week’s blog I wrote about assistants working together as a team and part of the blog discussed how we should cover for each other when one of us is off sick or on holiday. Ensure you have access to the calendars and emails for all of the people you are assisting, even if they are highly senior.

Holidays 100

Holidays Calendars Management Email 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 6, 2010

2) Be a stress-buster Your stress level is directly correlated to the boss’s stress level. But you can put a plan in place that will reduce your boss’ stress and, therefore, your own. Your boss will see you are saving her time and see you as a stress-reducer. Your calm demeanor will lower everyone’s stress level.

Stress 100

Stress Ergonomics Health Medical 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 12, 2010

List #1 – The weekly calendar. Emotional blocks – boredom, daydreaming, stress, guilt, anger and frustration reduce concentration. When you enjoy what you are doing, it reduces stress. When stress is reduced, you work more efficiently. 3) Define Your Priorities Using the 3-List Method. Time is precious.

Management 100

Management Goals Ergonomics Agenda 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

Before I left I went over my checklists a few times to make sure I had everything and it was stress free each day as I reviewed the lists and checked off the items to bring. The meetings were stress free and I was able to depend on my checklists and templates. Now I am on holidays and preparing for a big move to a new home.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Unfortunately, our calendars and to-do lists often get in the way of common sense. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships. Comment by Jonathan Woodruff on November 6, 2010 @ 8:24 pm Trackbacks Leave a comment Subscribe to blog posts by Email The Essential Motivation Handbook The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Mentoring 100

Mentoring 2010 Health Ergonomics 100

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

AUGUST 7, 2012

Try to set up the communication of the office so your boss checks their own emails and responds, but you are in charge of all the mtg coordination, phones, and anything that happens in the office. Tech glitches happen all the time and 2 people controlling one person's calendar is not the easiest thing. Here are some examples.

Holidays 40

Holidays Calendars Credit Card Restaurants 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

JUNE 14, 2009

My favourite to-do list is a calendar timeline so I can see at a glance where I am at and what I need to do to get there. It is simply using an on-line calendar with space on each day to enter what needs to be done. To generate a calendar in Word 2007, click on the Office Button (in the top left-hand corner). No surprises!

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones IAAP Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

You hear something while walking down the hall or are copied on an email and know something about the purpose of a meeting coming up. Many times I am so thankful I had that quick chat or read that email that I was copied on as that was the exact information I needed when they were away. Yes, it is always nice to have a work buddy.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

Once a date is finalized I put it in my bosss calendar and confirm the meeting with the other participants. Much easier than searching in Outlook and less stressful. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. When a meeting is finalized, I put the scheduling sheet in a completed file.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 31, 2010

I sent another assistant a comical card about being stressed out at work. We work in a very busy office so it was a nice surprise for her to receive it and helped put the stress of the office in perspective. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. She loved it! Excellent material! 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Good time management skills can help reduce confusion, stress, and even workload levels, so there are many benefits to making sure that time is well spent. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. Holidays (Public) in Canada and the United States Canadian Holidays U.S. Excellent material!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

You will also feel more in control of the situation and less stressed. If that is not happening, schedule yourself in their calendar. Keep up to date on their calendar and look ahead to see what is coming up and what your boss might need to prepare for that. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2008 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 29, 2009

Humour is a powerful stress reliever if done in good taste, but timing is everything. I am on holidays right now, but am always interested in what others are doing. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. Its not that Im funny, because Im not, but I find a lot of things funny. Excellent material!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

Posted by Patricia Robb at 11:37 AM Labels: Administrative Assistant , kings and queens of the office , problems , professional assistant , royalty , stresses at work Reactions: Newer Post Older Post Home Join me for a Webinar, Sept. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

As an aside, pen and paper will suffice if I have to, but you can see that the checklist can help avoid any unnecessary stresses from happening. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. Holidays (Public) in Canada and the United States Canadian Holidays U.S. Excellent material!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 29, 2009

An interview can be as stressful on those conducting it as on the person being interviewed if the conversation does not flow. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. Holidays (Public) in Canada and the United States Canadian Holidays U.S. A firm but short handshake is all it takes.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Resume IAAP Interviewing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2008

One of the things they stressed was to hire well. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Holidays Humour "A cheerful heart is good like medicine."

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 22, 2008

Perhaps we put a lot of the stress on ourselves because we feel that every e-mail has to be replied to immediately. In response to the email comment "why do we feel the need to answer an email/ or get an answer so quickly." I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. Keep up the good work.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2008 100

Stephanie LH Calahan

JANUARY 3, 2011

Work With Stephanie « Listen Live to Stephanie Share Her Story on #WIBRadio on Jan 3 @ 1pm CST | Main | Procrastination, Email, Multi-Tasking, Family Management, Soc Media Backup Etc.   Read, sort and process your email and snail mail daily.  Tweet Click to get posts as we publish Prefer less email?

Filing 100

Filing Medical Finance Health 100

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

MAY 26, 2014

I also handle his executive calendar and work in the office with him. I hated the mental stress and burden of putting everyone else first and getting only the usual thank you’s and words of appreciation. I would also volunteer at work and socialize with my co-workers during the holiday gift wrapping parties.

Temping 40

Temping Stress Job Hunting ASAP 40

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

JULY 8, 2016

I was stressed out from the pace of work and also the length of a couple of special projects with a long lead time. We also got 2 floating/personal holidays, about 3-10 sick days, and also working in the entertainment industry, most places shut down for the last 10-14 days of the year. Most of my jobs I was able to take my 2 weeks.

Temping 40

Temping Stress Holidays Email 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

Minute taking definitely isnt easy, but it doesnt have to be stressful. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Agenda IAAP 2010 100

Stephanie LH Calahan

DECEMBER 10, 2010

" The playing field of the world is leveling off which means that the competition, pace and stress levels are at maximum. Tame Your Email 1. Turn off email alerts when emails arrive in your inbox. If you know that you will never answer an email, delete it right away. Utilize your calendar to schedule tasks.

AT&T 100

AT&T Calendars Social Media Stress 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

I have a love/hate relationship with the email autofill. Tools Options Preferences E-mail Options Advanced E-mail Options Unclick “Suggest names while completing To, cc and bcc…&# My life is much simply now with less stress. I finally had a chance to sit down and read your book over the holiday. I shut it off!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 28, 2010

Add dated or calendar items to a tickler file system or a diary as soon as they arrive. Personally I prefer askSam and (either way) it takes time and effort to implement but for every hour I put into it, it probably saves me four (and reduces stress). To be more productive, allocate 15 minutes each week. Just a suggestion.

2007 100

2007 Filing 2009 AT&T 100

Brilliantly Better

JULY 17, 2010

You have to subclass Calendars, Time Zones and Time Components if you want to do some fine grained date comparisons. I admit I was incredibly stressed but somehow the stress motivated me. Frustration Level: 80 – The highest ever, because the stress of how the app would be accepted was incredible. Complicated.

2010 40

2010 AT&T Learning Promotion 40