#ThirstyThursday Issue #123

🤖 AI: 14 productivity-boosting AI prompts you should use this week.

😠 Microaggressions: Suggested strategies and sample responses to microaggressions at work.

💰 Freelancing: Check out these 21 freelancing tips for beginners.

🌐 Community: A thriving private Facebook group for Executive Assistants.

Takeaways:

• Sound more professional with these 5 phrases, including swapping out “I don’t know” for “I’ll find out”.
• Additional phrases you can use that aren’t in the post:
  • “I don’t know how to do that” ➡️ ”I’m not familiar with this process, but I’m eager to learn. Can you guide me through it?”
  • “That’s above my pay grade” ➡️ ”I understand your concerns. Let me discuss this with my supervisor and get back to you.”
  • “That’s too much work” ➡️ ”The scope of this project is significant. Can we discuss prioritizing tasks and adjusting the timeline?”

Check out the other phrases here.

Do you organize the baby shower and birthday gifts at the office?

Maybe you’re the Room Parent and organize teacher gifts from the whole class?

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Takeaways:

• Step 1: Talk about where things are currently and identify the gaps.
• Step 2: Speak on the risks if the gaps aren’t addressed.
• Step 3: Share how to bridge the gap and solve the problem.
• Step 4: Explain the execution.

Watch the video for examples of each step.

Takeaways:

• Plan your ideal year: Most people stick to weekly or monthly views when it comes to calendar tools, but consider creating a year at a glance view to see your time on a macro scale.
• Plan your ideal week: In your Google Cal or Outlook Cal, create a new calendar with time blocks for your ideal week. Blocks you should include:
  • Morning routine: what activities do you want to do after you wake up, but before work?
  • Night routine: set a consistent bed time and block it out on your calendar.
  • Work day: add in your meetings, breaks, and focus time.
  • The rest of your day: add in your dinner time, social activities, work outs, etc.
  • Note: It’s normal for your schedule to shift, but this gives you a strong starting point for organizing your time, prioritizing what matters to you, and identifying free time.
• Planning your ideal day: Follow what you have scheduled in your calendar (since you completed that while planning your ideal week). Define your “3 Daily Quests” each day under the categories of work, health, and relationships. Example:
  • Health: Make it to a cycling class.
  • Work: Finish writing blog post.
  • Relationship: Call mom.

Watch the full video here. (Tip: watch it at 1.5x speed).

Just because it’s March, doesn’t mean it’s too late to create your own year at a glance calendar — there are still ~9 months left of the year.

Seize the opportunity to get organized and make the most of the remaining months.

Whether you’re planning personal goals, business milestones, or family events, this intuitive calendar will keep you on track and focused on what matters most.

Take control of your time with this free calendar template.

*Powered by Notion.

P.S. New to Notion? Select “For my team” when you sign up.

Takeaways:

• Companies are reducing headcount due to over-hiring and AI efficiency gains, causing employee anxiety
• Pressure to grow while being efficient with reduced budgets leads to employee burnout
• Leaders should prioritize connecting with their team, especially remote workers, to provide support

Read the full post here.

What an incredible referral giveaway it’s been!

After 100+ entries from all your epic referrals, we’re thrilled to announce our randomly-selected, lucky winner of the Apple AirPods Max headphones…

Congratulations Kari Jackson!

To everyone else who participated, thank you for spreading the word and sharing The Assist with those who will love it as much as you (hopefully) do.

Stay tuned, we’ve got more awesome things coming your way soon.

📚 Quit talking about the weather and grab Better Small Talk by Patrick King to have more meaningful conversations.

🗓️ Get this wall calendar to see your full year at a glance.

😋 These superfood power snacks can keep you fueled during busy work days.

🧠 Exercise your mind with free brain training games.