Category Archives: Administrative Support

Jan25

How To Rise Above Negativity in 8 Steps

Posted on January 25, 2021 by kate

The year 2020 was a doozy. While we were still reeling from old problems like climate change and divisive politics, we were handed a new set of problems starting with bushfires and ending with a global pandemic, the magnitude of which has given the word “unprecedented” a whole new meaning. It’s like living in a video game where every stage is a never-ending boss fight.

With all the craziness going on in the world, it’s hard to stop ourselves from feeling a barrage of negative emotions. With the pandemic comes bereavement, loss of income, isolation, fear of the unknown, and health concerns. Naturally, these will spawn feelings of dread, anxiety, and depression.

We have the power to rise above these negative feelings. Right now, it is absolutely imperative to have good mental health. It is a duty to take care of our mental health, not only for ourselves but for everyone we care about. That starts with learning how to manage fear and anxiety.

Accept and validate – don’t ignore your feelings. That leads to repression and resentment. Address your fears, accept that they exist within you, and know that these feelings are valid.
Speak up and seek help – talk to a trusted family member or friend. If you keep your negative feelings bottled up inside you, that could bubble up as something nasty, in the future. If you feel that the issue might be too much for your loved ones to handle, talk to a professional.
Focus on what you can control – learn your triggers and don’t be triggered by just about anything. Pick your battles and devote your energy into things that you have power and influence over.
Be open to change – I’ll leave you with a quote. “If nothing ever changed, there would be no such things as butterflies.” – Wendy Mass
Allow your mind to rest – make restful sleep a priority. First, work out how much sleep you need, and reverse engineer from there. Practice good sleep hygiene. We’ve got some tips here.
Stop the comparisons – your journey is unique. Everyone copes differently, find your unique way.
Be kinder to yourself – self-talk is important. What we tell ourselves shapes our minds. Think good thoughts, Do good deeds. Talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend.
Don’t be afraid to fail and try again – focusing on the mistakes will only leave you jaded. Always try to find the silver lining and the lesson and then choose to improve and move on.

We’re all just trying to do our best in our own little way. So be kinder to people. Everyone (yes, everyone, universally) has gone through a rough and tumble year. The only way to make it better is to start by being kinder to ourselves and to one another. That makes all the difference.

How do you take care of your mental health in these trying times? We’d love to get some tips. Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

Jan18

Not A New Year’s Resolution: A Checklist

Posted on January 18, 2021 by kate

Not A New Year’s Resolution: A Checklist

I know how averse you are to making new year’s resolutions. So I’m not making a mock-up list for you. Don’t worry this is not a new year’s resolution. It’s a checklist of things that you need to pay special attention to and should get around to doing, at least once a year. Why do you need a checklist? Well, nothing can hold your attention for a year, except for your birthday. So if you don’t need to remember after 365 days, you’re most likely to forget, right? I’ve got you. I’ll do the heavy lifting so that you don’t need to. Here are 5 things to remember to do with every trip around the sun:

See your doctor for an annual physical checkup. Things crop up over time. Like a car, we all need a little maintenance. Go see your doctor to make sure that everything is in working order and that you are in tip-top shape. Get your blood work done and get a stress test, too. In the event that your doctor does find health issues, address them immediately.
Take your pets, too. It’s not just humans who need an overall physical check. Pets need them, too. Unlike us, pets can’t tell you if there’s something wrong with them. Make sure they’re also in the pink of health. Getting blood work done and updating their vaccinations ensure that your fur babies will stay with you for a long time.
Spring-clean your house – spring cleaning isn’t just for spring. It can be done anytime. Purge your belongings to make way for new ones. Gather them into 3 piles: to give away, to throw away, and to sell. Be honest when purging. Contrary to what my mom believes, not everything can be repurposed. If you know someone else can use it, sell it or give it away. It’s good practice to get rid of the old in order to make room for new things to come into your life.
Do a thorough audit of your digital life as well. You might have subscriptions that you no longer use, social media platforms that aren’t relevant anymore, or just electronic waste accumulating over the years. Purge that, too. Unsubscribe yourself from newsletters you no longer read. Delete selfies or pictures that you have multiple copies of (or are too dark or grainy to make sense of). Get rid of social media platforms that you very rarely use (are you really that interested in Snapchat?)
Get your wheels checked. Worn out wheels decrease a cars’ performance and leaves it vulnerable to wear and tear over time. Also, a bad alignment can be a disaster waiting to happen. For your sake and everyone else’s road safety, have your wheels checked.

Is there anything else you think should go on this checklist? What activities do you religiously do on an annual basis? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

Jan11

Why A Good Apology Is Important And How To Make One

Posted on January 11, 2021 by kate

Why A Good Apology Is Important And How To Make One

A good apology can rebuild burnt bridges and repair relationships. A bad apology can cause more trouble. It is best to learn how to spot the difference.

Look, let’s face it. No one likes admitting that they’re wrong. That is why apologies are so hard. Most people live their lives letting hurts pass without ever saying sorry or even getting a proper apology. However, saying “I’m sorry you feel that way” is not, and will never be an apology. Agreed upon social norms demand that when we do something wrong, we have to acknowledge that and express our remorse for the wrong we have done. It is a social ritual that shows respect and empathy for the wronged party.

In most cases, pride prevents us from saying sorry. But if you think about it, apologizing is one of the most positive actions that a person can take to keep them emotionally healthy. When you have wronged someone, apologizing genuinely shows them that you respect and care about them and that you understand and empathize with them. A genuine apology allows you to take responsibility for your actions and helps rebuild trust. Furthermore, it can help you avoid feelings of shame and guilt that can eat away at your soul if you carry them for too long.

Saying “I’m sorry you feel that way”, while acknowledging that bad feelings, doesn’t show remorse or accountability for the hurt you’ve caused. Also, it’s patronizing. If you still need some coaching, here’s the best way to apologize and make amends:

Do not wait. Your ego and pride would have you stew over how you’re right and they’re wrong and that they owe YOU an apology instead. When you’re wrong, waiting to apologize won’t change that.
Apologize for what you did, not for what other people think. Don’t say “I’m sorry that X has misread my actions”, say sorry for your actions.
Address the problem and offer a solution. For example, say “I’m sorry for being late to our dinner date. I will leave the office earlier next time.” See how that doesn’t reference reasons or excuses like traffic, over time, or any other excuse?

An apology may cause us a status point because admitting a mistake or a lapse in judgement can be seen as a weakness. However, a good apology requires us to make amends and to be more mindful of our actions in the future. It makes us feel better and be better people. It can also facilitate healing, change our perspective about someone, create opportunities, enable growth, and save relationships. The cost of a measly status point is relatively low compared to the many benefits we gain from saying a genuine and heartfelt “sorry”.

When was the last time you needed to apologize? How did it turn out? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

Jan4

How To Build An Emergency Fund

Posted on January 4, 2021 by kate

How To Build An Emergency Fund

Happy new year everyone! We hope you had peaceful and insightful celebrations. Here at The Help, we’re gearing up for another year of helping businesses grow and flourish. It has been an honor to serve you and support your business and we look forward to more years working with you.

Every year, a lot of people (whether they admit it or not) make new year resolutions. That’s basically us telling ourselves that (perfect as we are) there could be changes to be made in order to be better versions of ourselves. That’s a good thing, right? There’s always room for improvement. Most resolutions revolve around health and happiness with a few dashes of altruism. The most popular new year’s resolutions include^[1]:

Exercising more
Eating healthier
Spending more time with loved ones
Losing weight
Living more economically
Spending less time on social media
Improving job performance
Reducing stress
Quitting smoking
Cutting down on alcohol

We’re walking into the new year tentatively, with a lot of things still up in the air. It’s no wonder why the top 5 resolutions are all about “future-proofing”. We want to be ready for what’s coming.

The whole world is still trying to get back its rhythm. Everyone is still trying to rebuild. Economies around the globe are still unstable and job markets have minimal movement. It’s best to be prepared and to have an emergency fund built up just in case of unforeseen events. It’s time we learn to secure our finances, here are a few tips:

Same bank, different accounts

Open a savings account in the same bank as where you get your pay. This gives you easier mobility to move your money between your payroll and your savings account. If you can, arrange for automatic funds transfers so you can be sure that you’ve saved money before you even get the chance to spend it.

Have a budget

First, you have to compute how much it costs to support yourself: that’s your income minus your expenses. Draft a working budget and try to keep within that. Don’t forget to include savings into the computation. Extra money can go into non-essentials, wants, or more savings.

Keep a record

It’s easier to spend money if you can’t see it. That’s how people get into credit card debt. Having a visual reference of how much you earn vs how much you spend will give you more visibility over your spending habits and more control over your finances.

6 months worth of emergency funds

Start building an emergency fund. A good number is about 6 months worth of salary. This means that your emergency fund can tide you and your family over for about half a year.

50/30/20 rule

Some people set up rules for how to spend their money. The 50/30/20 rule says that 50% of your income goes to basic needs, 30% for personal wants, and 20% for savings. There are varieties to this rule, but 20% of your income going to savings makes it easier for you to build that emergency fund we talked about earlier.

What are your new year’s resolutions? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

^[1] Statista.com

Dec22

How To Organize A Remote Worker Inclusive Holiday Party

Posted on December 22, 2020 by kate

How To Organize A Remote Worker Inclusive Holiday Party

At this point in the year, companies are extremely busy. This is when businesses feel the pressure of delivering to customers and hitting their financial targets. On top of that, employees are on a mad scramble to finish all pending reports and rushing to cap off the year. This is also the time when companies plan and execute all holiday-related activities, including parties, games, giveaways, Christmas baskets, and year-enders.

That was pre-pandemic. Nowadays, things are a bit slower and more socially distant. Remote working teams are scattered across different locations and sometimes, different time zones, transforming how we celebrate the traditional office Christmas party. A majority of the workforce is still working from home and it’s easy to forget to include remote workers in office parties or to even organize an office party because, well, you don’t see each other face to face. However, this is the time to be inclusive of everyone and to make sure that nobody gets left out. We must not let recent circumstances get us down. Companies can still hold holiday celebrations. Here’s how you can still celebrate the holidays to include the part of your workforce who are working from home:

Personalized greetings

Take the time to send personalized notes, thank you cards, or holiday greetings. A personalized letter is more sincere and will be appreciated more than you know. Some ideas include: a framed greeting, motto, or mission vision, personal notes, or a video greeting.

Take advantage of video conferencing technology

Make sure to include remote workers in your holiday festivities. Take advantage of video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Skype, Teams, Google Meet, etc. Some platforms allow you to share music, so put on Christmas songs (hello, Mariah and Wham). Prepare games. I’ve recently hosted a Zoom trivia night with the help of Canva (for creating the questions and cue cards) and Spotify (for the “name That Tune” part). Invite everyone to wear holiday-themed headgear, Christmas costumes, Holiday Pajamas, or ugly sweaters. Aside from awarding the best in the costume, you can even have an award for the best-decorated tree or most festive background.

Gifts

Some companies send Christmas baskets to their employees. Some send gift cards, electronic cards, event tickets, etc. that people can use for online purchases so minimize going out. Some companies even make charitable donations in the employees’ name. Tangible gifts are great, too. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Peer recognition

The end of the year is the perfect time to acknowledge your team’s contributions and accomplishments. Use the opportunity to publicly recognize each other’s great work and their trellis effort in making the team a success.

These might be trying times, but we can still uphold traditions and make it special for the entire company. With a bit of effort, we can still celebrate the holidays with each other. How do you celebrate the holidays at your company? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp