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Category: Work/Life Balance

Can You Ever Really Be Ready for Monday? 

Here’s something that every human on the planet relates to – Mondays are difficult.    The thought of facing new weekly challenges head-on, making new commitments, and recalling all that you did last week builds up anxiety. This increases hormones like cortisol on Mondays more than on any other day of the week. So yes, the Monday blues are real. But I have something that can actually make you like Mondays […]

The Five Pillars that Support Administrative Excellence 

After over 50 years in the workforce, I’ve discovered that the key to a lasting, fulfilling, and impactful career lies in nurturing five essential areas that I refer to as the BIG Life Pillars: Career, Family, Financial, Spiritual, and Wellness.  1. Career  Too often, I notice administrative professionals undervaluing their roles by referring to their work as […]

I Have a Mental Health Condition 

People who know me, and who I trust, know the real me. So, I will trust you with my secret – I have a mental health condition. In my case, I have mixed anxiety and psychotic depression, which means that I hear, see and believe in things that others do not hear, see, or believe […]

The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep

Think working late, replying to emails after hours, and pulling all-nighters will help you secure that promotion? Think again. Sleep is not a luxury. It is a biological necessity. No animal can function for long without sufficient sleep, yet humans are often determined to try. Sleep deprivation affects mood, creativity, judgment, decision-making, and overall health. […]

Define Your Values to Create a Healthier, Happier Life

What is important to you right now? Today it might be leaving work on time after a demanding week. Tomorrow it could be remembering a personal commitment you usually rush past. While priorities shift daily, the values beneath them remain quietly influential, shaping how we think, decide, and behave. When life feels fulfilling and balanced, […]

Responsibility Fatigue

Many administrative professionals know this feeling well: the quiet belief that if I don’t do it, no one else will. Over time, that belief becomes exhausting. I recently saw this dynamic play out clearly while attending a conference for a volunteer organization. While there was no shortage of volunteers at the ground level, leadership roles […]

Job-Sharing: A Success Story

When the opportunity to work a flexible, part-time job share appeared, it was one of the best surprises of my career. After more than 30 years as an administrative professional, I wanted to stay connected to the field while pursuing teaching. But I needed flexibility, stability, and meaningful work. I wasn’t sure that combination existed-until […]

From Burnout to Recovery: A Case Study

Burnout is not just about exhaustion. It is about the gradual erosion of your energy, resilience, and confidence until you reach a point where you can no longer function. For executive support professionals, who often pride themselves on being able to “handle it all,” the risks are especially high. To illustrate, let me share the […]

8 Easy Ways to Sneak More Movement Into Your Day

Let’s be honest – when your day is back-to-back meetings, project deadlines, and managing 101 requests, movement isn’t exactly top of mind. But ignoring your body for hours on end doesn’t just lead to a stiff neck or sore back. It can impact your mood, focus, and even long-term health. If you’ve ever hit the […]

Creating a life that fits you

By Hiyam Abuguilah In a world filled with advice on how to succeed, thrive and live better, it’s tempting to follow in the footsteps of those who have “made it.” Countless self-help books, motivational speeches and social media posts provide formulas for success, whether in business, relationships or health. But the truth is, life is not […]