Some days, despite your best intentions, you end up spending hours on the small, easy tasks that don’t feel meaningful. It’s not failure — it’s your mind seeking a gentler rhythm. Give yourself credit for holding steady. Tomorrow, the stones will return.
productivity
The Haunted Life of an EA: 21 Horrors Only Administrative Professionals Know 👻
From projects rising from the dead to calendar mysteries and corrupted spreadsheets, EAs face daily horrors that would make a ghost shiver. This Halloween, here’s a tribute to the challenges only those in administration truly understand.
Finding Meaning in the “Sand” Days
Not every day can be a big-stone day. Sometimes, we spend our energy on the small, busy tasks — the “sand” — and wonder where the meaning went. But even those days have value. They’re a quiet reset, a way of keeping afloat until your focus and purpose return. Be kind to yourself. You’re still moving forward.
The Smart Founder’s First Hire: Why Your Assistant Should Come Before Anything Else
Most entrepreneurs think they can’t afford an assistant — but the truth is, they can’t afford not to have one. Research shows founders lose nearly two days a week to admin. Hiring an assistant isn’t an expense; it’s an investment that delivers immediate ROI, freeing you to focus on growth, strategy, and innovation.
Grant Thornton May Have Cut Assistants — But the Business Community Is Pushing Back
Grant Thornton’s decision to axe nearly 100 assistants sparked anger across the profession, but the comments under the Financial Times article tell a more hopeful story. While some still cling to outdated views that leaders should “do their own admin,” many business professionals pushed back, recognising assistants as critical to productivity and profitability. From consultants warning that outsourcing admin is “a disaster waiting to happen,” to senior leaders pointing out that good assistants drive firm-wide efficiency, the message is clear: assistants aren’t overhead. They are infrastructure. And the wider business world is finally starting to say it too.
Done is Better Than Perfect: Why Sharing Your Work Matters More Than Flawlessness
After spending hours perfecting a checklist for managing executive energy, I faced a formatting disaster on LinkedIn. But I learned a vital lesson: value and progress matter more than perfection. If you’re hesitating to share because it’s not perfect, maybe it’s time to hit send anyway.
Rest is Resistance: Why Taking Time Off Isn’t a Luxury, It’s a Necessity
In a culture that glorifies overwork, especially for assistants, choosing to rest can feel rebellious — but it’s essential for long-term success. Backed by research on burnout and productivity, this is your permission to prioritize real downtime. Your future self, refreshed and focused, will thank you.
Still Not Sure What an Assistant Can Do? Read This.
A C-suite exec once told me, “I just don’t know what an assistant could do for me.” If that sounds familiar, it’s time for a wake-up call. A world-class Executive Assistant isn’t just support—they’re a strategic asset. From protecting your time to spotting risks, building bridges, and saving you 25% of your week, here are 20 ways a high-level EA transforms leadership. Because if you don’t have an assistant, you are the assistant.
Why Leaders Need to Make Time for Their Assistants — Even When They Think They Don’t
Busy leaders often skip regular check-ins with their assistants, thinking they don’t have time. But this creates a costly cycle of overwhelm and inefficiency. By investing just 10 minutes a day to align with your assistant, you unlock clarity, focus, and momentum—turning your assistant from overhead into your most valuable strategic partner.
10 Essential Books for Executive Assistants Preparing for the Future
From deep focus and habit-building to leadership, influence, and AI readiness, these 10 books are must-reads for Executive Assistants looking to elevate their skills, expand their influence, and position themselves as strategic business partners.