Brainteaser of the day: I have four wings, but cannot fly, I never laugh and never cry; On the same spot I’m always found, toiling away with little sound. What am I?
Click here to see the answer.
WEEKEND FINDS
Treat Yo’Self
✨ To Rose Quartz Crystal Healing
Harness the positive energy and calming vibes of lovely pink rose quartz stones. Learn about it’s healing properties here >
👁️ To Perfecting Winged Eyeliner Flicks
Get that envied cat eye finally mastered. Slay the iconic makeup look with this tutorial >
💫 To Anti-Aging Laser Treatments
Turn back time with the latest innovations in laser skin rejuvenation. Learn the tech on getting a gorgeous glow >
🏆 To Achieving Your Boldest Bucket List Goals
Dare mighty things and make those big dreams happen. Get inspired by these 101 ideas >
🛋️ To Comfy Loungewear for Chill Nights
Maximize relaxation during your wind-down hours with cute and cozy at-home outfit inspiration. Sets from Amazon that won’t break the bank >
TOGETHER WITH MONDAY.COM
Upgrade Your To-Do List
If you’re a visual person and want to upgrade your to-do list, check out monday.com.
It’s perfect for anyone who is struggling to…
- Prioritize tasks
- Fight overwhelm due to the amount of projects flying around
- Keep teammates on the same page
- Manage time throughout the work day
You can customize your space, color code, set deadlines, collaborate with teammates, and more.
Like any tool, we suggest you try it out for yourself to see if it covers all the bases.
FROM ANNIE CRONER, EA COACH, CEO & FOUNDER OF WHOLE ASSISTANT
The Power of a Strategic “No”
As assistants, we like to think we can do it all. We see ourselves as people who have a “can do” attitude, and we often strive to be as accommodating as possible.
What happens when our accommodating nature inadvertently turns into an inability to say “no”?
Here’s a truth many of us don’t like admitting: there are only 24 hours in a day. This means every time you say “yes” to something, you are invariably saying “no” to something else.
For many of us, failing to recognize this one simple fact has led to not setting the boundaries we know we need to set, and inadvertently becoming less effective in our roles.
Get Clear on Your Priorities
Understanding your priorities, both personal and professional, is the first crucial step in making room for “yes”. Many of us are too busy trying to do “all the things” that we fail to stop and consider what our priorities are.
What’s most important to you personally? Is it taking care of your physical well-being? Perhaps it’s spending time with family, or making time for a passion project or hobby that lights you up.
What’s most important to you professionally? Are you clear on your executive’s priorities and have you aligned your priorities accordingly?
The answers to these questions will serve as a roadmap for where to focus your attention and energy.
Embracing a Strategic “No”
As an assistant, the core function of your role is not to be everything to everyone, but rather to focus on the deliverables that will have the greatest impact in the life of your executive or organization.
By embracing the power of a strategic “no,” you are essentially setting critical boundaries and prioritizing the tasks and projects that will have the greatest impact.
This will not only build trust with your executive but will also embolden you to make decisions from a place of strength and empowerment rather than giving in to people-pleasing tendencies.
The How
When I work with my clients who really want to become indispensable, there are typically a few unchecked thoughts they need to overcome in order to make room for “yes”.
Thoughts like:
- If I say no, people will think I can’t handle it.
- I’m afraid of what people will think if I push back.
- I don’t like conflict.
- It’s better to just keep the peace.
- It will only take a few minutes.
Bringing awareness to your unchecked habitual thoughts is the first step in overcoming them. From there you can begin to poke holes in the fear, people-pleasing, or avoidance that often accompany these unchecked beliefs.
A Little Encouragement
The next time you receive a request that falls outside of the core function of your role, slow down long enough to ask yourself this one vital question:
Is handling this request the best and highest use of my time and energy?
If the answer is “no”, this is a great opportunity to show up at a higher level for yourself, your executive, and your career by offering a kind, clear, and strategic “no”.
Annie helps executive assistants unlock their badassery. To learn more please visit her website: WholeAssistant.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
TOGETHER WITH HOPPIER
The Easiest Way to Send Lunch or Gifts to Large Groups
Are you struggling to keep your remote team engaged?
Look no further than Hoppier!
Their platform simplifies virtual gifting and rewards, fostering connection and appreciation across your distributed team.
With a diverse selection of gift card options and user-friendly features, Hoppier streamlines the process of recognizing and motivating your employees.
Say goodbye to traditional incentives and discover a new way to boost morale and connectivity.
STAFF PICKS
Stuff we’re loving rn
🤖 If you’re new to automations, Zapier has a bunch of integrations and documentation to help you along the way. Plus it’s free until you use up your monthly “zaps”.
📚 In Stacy Sims’ book, ROAR, she makes a solid point: women are not small men, so you should stop eating and training like one. She shares tools to help you understand how to adapt your nutrition and training to your physiology and maximize performance.
🧽 Cleaning or organizing this weekend? Check out this under sink organizer — a space that often gets neglected.
🏷️ Don’t underestimate the Apple Airtag. Some of our favorite use cases: a pet’s collar, bike, purse, wallet, remote, and car keys. We even like the suggestion of turning one into a bracelet or necklace for loved ones living with dementia (or for children who tend to wander off).
BEFORE YOU GO
Latest Listings
🔖 Catch up on all Weekender newsletters here.
🏪 The Assist Store: Check out our Etsy Store or get our most popular templates for free here.
🚨 Job Openings:
- DHW Insurance Brokers is hiring for an Assistant Account Manager (Remote).
- DHW Insurance Brokers is hiring for an Insurance Telemarketing Specialist (Remote).
- Leavitt Group Texas Select is hiring for a Personal Lines Account Manager (Houston, TX).
- Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is hiring for a Director of Planning & Transportation (Charlottesville, VA).
- NCQA is hiring for an Assistant VP of Population Health and Primary Care Science (Washington, D.C./Remote).
PETS OF THE WEEK
Simon
Simon is the friendliest and funniest cat.
It may be hard to believe, but his heart is bigger than him. He loves eating, sleeping on his favourite blanket that is just as soft as him, cuddling, and being read to before bedtime.
He loves to sit in odd positions that mock humans and talk to whoever will listen. He is very responsive to the words ‘food’ and ”treats’ and is always purring.