Assistant's Guide to Winning the Clock in 2024


Wednesday, 10th January 2024

What is inspiring us this week?

Hey Reader

🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉 As we step into the bright beginnings of 2024, we are diving into a year brimming with possibilities, growth, and, yes, a whole lot of productivity!

This week, we’re kicking off with a topic as essential as your morning coffee: Mastering Time Management. Whether you’re juggling calendars, managing mayhem, or just trying to find time for that well-deserved lunch break, we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to make 2024 your most efficient year yet!

🚀 And hold onto your planners because we’ve got something super exciting on the horizon!

Join our first virtual summit of 2024 on Thursday, January 25th, focusing on Future Skills for Assistants. Like always, it will be a day packed with insights, inspiration, and insider secrets to make you the Assistant of tomorrow, today!

So, are you ready to make 2024 your year of unstoppable growth and learning? We’ll be with you every step of the way!

Nicky Christmas

Founder of Practically Perfect PA and The EA Campus

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Tips and Tricks

Hit the ground running with these time management tips

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  1. Embrace the Power of ‘No’ (and ‘Yes’): As an Assistant, your time is precious. Learn to say ‘yes’ to tasks and opportunities that align with your goals and bring joy and ‘no’ to those who don’t. This doesn’t just apply to work tasks but to personal invitations and requests as well. Remember, every ‘yes’ to something unimportant is a ‘no’ to something important.
  2. Set Boundaries with Technology: Don’t let the internet and constant connectivity consume your life. Implement rules like checking emails only at specific times or staying offline during certain hours to focus on high-priority tasks. This approach helps you stay on track with your goals and prevents digital distractions from wasting valuable time.
  3. Prioritise Your Projects: It’s easy to get caught up in solving everyone else’s problems, but remember to prioritise your projects and tasks. You don’t have to volunteer for every small, draining task that comes your way. Be strategic about the favours you do and the tasks you take on, ensuring they align with your professional growth and personal well-being.
  4. Plan and Be Ruthless with Your Agenda: Have a clear plan for your day, week, and month. This makes it harder for others to derail you and easier for you to determine what aligns with your goals. It’s okay to be a bit ruthless in sticking to your plan. If something doesn’t fit into your agenda or doesn’t serve your or your Executive’s objectives, it’s okay to say no or propose an alternative that works better for you.

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As the role of Assistants continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option – it’s a necessity.

This summit is tailor-made for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Administrative Professionals eager to embrace the future with confidence and skill.

Why It’s a Must-Attend:

  • Convenience: Available online in three time zones – whether you’re in Sydney, London, or New York, this summit is just a click away.
  • Affordability: With individual tickets starting at just £60 | USD75 | AUD120 | €70, it’s an investment in your career that won’t break the bank.
  • Flexibility: Can’t make it live? No problem! Catch up on all the content for three months post-event.

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New Articles

Shifting your mindset from a traditional Assistant to a Strategic Business Partner

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In today’s fast-paced business environment, the role of Assistants has evolved beyond the traditional aspects associated with the job. Many organisations have recognised the value of Assistants as strategic business partners who can contribute significantly to their success. This shift in mindset has resulted in Assistants taking on more strategic work, adding value to the business in new and innovative ways. Read more>>>​

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Mastering the five P’s of powerful public speaking

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Public speaking can be intimidating for many people, but with the right techniques, anyone can become a confident and engaging speaker. One effective approach we learned from Alina Jenkins, Head of Communications at Body Talk, is to incorporate the five P’s – pitch, pace, pause, projection, and passion – into your speech. When used skillfully, these five elements can captivate your audience and make your presentation memorable. This article will explore mastering the five P’s of powerful public speaking. Read more>>>​

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Check out our treasure trove of Assistant resources

Whether you’re a seasoned Assistant looking for a productivity boost or just starting and eager to learn, our digital downloads have got you covered.

Our Tech Partners

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​Todoist​

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Todoist is a handy tool for Assistants, offering a streamlined and intuitive way to manage tasks and projects. Its user-friendly interface allows for easy organisation of daily duties, from scheduling meetings to tracking deadlines.

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​Monday.com​

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Monday.com stands out as an exceptionally versatile tool for Assistants, offering a dynamic platform that goes beyond simple task management. Its customisable workflows and boards enable Assistants to visualise and organise various aspects of their work, from complex project timelines to daily administrative tasks.

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​Shoeboxed​

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Shoeboxed is a highly beneficial tool for Assistants, particularly when managing expenses and receipts efficiently. This platform streamlines the traditionally time-consuming process of tracking and organising receipts, business cards, and other documents. With its ability to digitise physical documents quickly through scanning, Assistants can effortlessly maintain a clutter-free and organised system.

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video preview​

Video

Best practice advice from high-performing Assistants

In this informative panel session, our panellists discuss the importance of developing trust, building relationships, and being patient in their roles.

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Podcast

Listen to this week’s episode of The EA Campus Podcast

Have you listened to the latest episode of The EA Campus podcast yet?

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​Listen on Apple​

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​Listen on Spotify​

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Our Courses

Join The Confident Communicator

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Understand and Master Workplace Communication

We’re here to elevate your communication game. Whether it’s drafting impeccable emails, managing complex schedules, or negotiating on behalf of your team, The Confident Communicator online course is designed with your unique challenges in mind.

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Calendar

What do we have coming up this year?

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Feedback

Have a moment? We’d love to hear more about your career

We love our Practically Perfect PA community and want to get to know you better.

​Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. It will help shape everything we do for you and support you moving forward with your Assistant career.

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