Category Archives: Administrative Support

Feb8

4 Tips on How To Improve The Flow Of Your Home Office

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4 Tips on How To Improve The Flow Of Your Home Office

Many people have been working from home since last year due to the government imposed lockdowns. In fact, 41.8% of the American workforce continues to work remotely. A lot of those don’t have formal workspaces set up at home and have to quickly adjust their homes to accommodate the new work arrangement.

Are you one of those people whose workspace consists of a laptop in one corner of the dining table? Or are you a work from home veteran trying to spruce up their home office? Everyone needs a comfortable and functional workspace. Working from home might be our reality until the global pandemic crisis gets solved. This is why you have to make an effort to make sure that your workspace can inspire you to do your job well. After all, your environment influences how you do your work.

Let’s face it, the corner of the dining table doesn’t leave any room for personalization. The reality of this arrangement is that you’re likely to move your work to another spot while the dining table is being used for…dining. Then you have to haul your laptop, notes, and pens back after you clean up. The first thing to do to improve the flow of your home office is to actually have a home office. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just carve out a quiet space away from distractions and set your laptop up on a table and get a comfortable chair. If you already have that, here’ are the rest of the tips:

  1. Personalize it!
    A sense of personalization actually helps improve your productivity. Personalization increases happiness and job satisfaction, therefore increasing productivity. But don’t go putting your children’s art on the wall just yet. Choose objects that you love looking at but would add beauty and function – a nice pen holder perhaps, a beautiful lamp, a vase full of flowers, colorful office supplies, you get the idea.
  2. Keep work and play separate.
    This is the number one challenge of working from home – how to successfully keep work and personal life separate. This is why you should set your workspace up in a part of your home with the least distractions. Make it clear to everyone you share your home with that you are not to be disturbed when you are in that space. If space is tight, get creative. I have seen some Pinterest pins of closets that have been converted into tiny home offices. Check those out for inspiration.
  3. Design with productivity in mind.
    Take advantage of lighting and color to productivity. If you’re lucky enough to set up near a window, take advantage of natural light. When you personalize your space, consider color. Here’s an interesting read about how color can improve your productivity.
  4. Declutter.
    Clutter not only affects your surroundings, but it also affects your mindset. Your focus is always on the constant attack if your environment is messy. So get rid of clutter.

Do you have any tips on how to improve your home office? 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

Feb1

How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health In The New Normal

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How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health In The New Normal

People are social beings. We form partnerships, packs, tribes, and communities. We form societies and nations. We need other people to survive. There is no doubt that we need mutual dependence. However, we had to face a new reality. We had to change our behavior in response to the changes brought about by the pandemic. These changes have brought about negative feelings: feelings of dread, uncertainty about the future, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Most of us are overwhelmed by the new normal and a lot of us already have pandemic fatigue.

Right now, there is a rise in these negative moods: anxiety, anger, and loneliness. It is best to consult a licensed therapist if you are experiencing any of these. But in the meantime, here are some ways to address these negative feelings.

Anxiety 

It is anticipated rumination or worrying about something that might happen in the future. As you can imagine, a lot of us have developed some form of anxiety as a result of the unprecedented turn of events from last year. Let’s face it. People can’t help but worry. What’s worse is that worry is contagious. Don’t we all feel like the world is coming to an end?

In order to manage this, we have to be as prepared as possible. Acknowledge the fact that there are a lot of things that we can’t control. Then act on the things that we can control. For example, you can’t control the virus, but you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from catching it by taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, eating healthy, taking vitamins, etc.

Anger

The situation right now is frustrating. We may feel frustrated and angry that those who know better, can’t do better. Governments and health experts are trying their best, but somehow it is not enough. The virus has brought superpowers and nations down on their knees. While vaccines have already been developed, there is still more work to be done. 

To address this, be mindful of your triggers. If the news triggers you (who isn’t?), then watch less of it. Allow yourself a limited time to seethe and stew (10mins tops) and move forward with your day. Don’t dwindle on bad news. Avoid doom scrolling (the act of consuming a large quantity of negative online news at once). Keep your mind calm by practicing meditative activities (knitting, gardening, baking, cooking, reading, yoga, and meditation of course).

Loneliness

By the nature of the pandemic, isolation is one of the best ways to keep it at bay. We’ve all retreated to our homes and stayed away from public places. We’ve shunned all social activities and gatherings and have started working from home. Our government and self-imposed isolation has led to feelings of loneliness in a lot of people.

To curb loneliness, get in touch and connect with other people. No, don’t break quarantine protocols. You can get creative. Reach out to friends and family and create a daily routine. Play games via video conferencing apps. Games like Pictionary, Bingo, or Charades can be played virtually. Better yet, host a trivia night with prizes! Gift cards for online shopping is a fun prize. Make sure to take advantage of technology. Host a Netflix Party so you can watch a movie with friends. Make it a fun experience. 

Do you have tips on how to take care of your mental health? 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

Jan25

How To Rise Above Negativity in 8 Steps

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How To Rise Above Negativity in 8 Steps

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Stop the comparisons – your journey is unique. Everyone copes differently, find your unique way.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

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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

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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