Nothing says “excitement” quite like the word admin. It’s not exactly a job that most people would dream of getting into, let alone one that they have a lot of fun with. But no matter your career, you can make working in an office as satisfying and productive as possible! Here are some tips on how to make your administrative assistant job more enjoyable.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Making your job fun as a freelance administrative assistant can improve your overall job satisfaction and productivity. |
| 2. Incorporate creativity and personalization into your daily tasks to make them more enjoyable. |
| 3. Seek opportunities for professional development and growth to add excitement to your role. |
| 4. Find a work-life balance that allows you to engage in activities outside of work that bring you joy. |
| 5. Cultivate positive relationships with clients and colleagues to create a supportive and enjoyable work environment. |
Make It A Routine
Set A Regular Schedule
This is key for every type of job, but it’s important enough to say twice: even if you’re not leaving the house, get up and dressed as you would for a normal day. Have your breakfast at the same time every morning.
If you normally exercise daily, make sure to keep that up! And don’t forget to hydrate one of the easiest things we do on any given day is drink water, so try to drink a full glass before anything else happens.
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Plan Your Day The Night Before
Another good habit for any type of professional: create tomorrow today! Make sure you know what tasks need doing, how long they’ll take, and where they fit into your schedule (and whether there are times with no tasks scheduled). Don’t be afraid to treat yourself by working on something fun if everything else is done early but don’t count on being able to do everything quickly right off the bat.
Make Your Workspace Your Own
Think about what makes your office space feel less drab. Try to find ways to make your workspace more fun figure out how to personalize it, even if it’s a small detail like getting a new mouse pad or adding some flowers. Make it yours!
Beyond making the space more visually appealing, there are additional tips and tricks that can help you get through any workday. For example, keeping your desk as distraction-free as possible is crucial so you can focus on the task at hand no one likes walking into the office with a mile-long list of deliverables only to find themselves unable to concentrate because their space is cluttered with piles of paperwork and bills.
Instead, keep desks clean by having only necessary items within reach. This will help you focus on work when you need to and give you peace of mind knowing that everything else is put away in its proper place.
Set Up A Comfortable Work Environment
- First things first: you’re going to want to make sure you have a comfortable chair and desk. This one seems obvious, but it’s essential for your happiness as an admin assistant. You’re going to be sitting at that desk for long hours, so make sure it’s not painful or uncomfortable! Comfort is key.
- Second thing: make sure your devices are working correctly. Make sure your computer and other devices are up-to-date and running smoothly because that will help you do your job better.
- Third thing: make sure you have good lighting and ventilation. You need to be able to see what you are typing! And it will keep you from getting sick if there is proper ventilation in your workspace—you never know when whatever virus is going around will strike.
- Last thing: find the right temperature for yourself in the workplace. You need to stay warm enough in the winter, but not too warm either! And same with summer; keep yourself cool but not freezing cold or else you might get sick again!!
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Embrace The Way Technology Makes Your Job Easier
Technology has made it possible for you to work from anywhere, and that’s definitely a perk of being an administrative assistant. In fact, you have a lot of opportunities to be creative with your job and make it more fun.
For example: If you’re stuck in traffic on I-10 during rush hour and your boss needs you to answer some emails, no problem! Just use the voice-to-text function on your phone while you’re sitting still in the backseat.
And if that person sitting next to you is playing really loud music, don’t worry about it! You can turn up your headphones and catch up on the latest episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” while you work. (Or whatever TV show is popular right now.)
If those examples don’t tickle your fancy, here are some other ways technology can help make your job fun:
Use technology to make your work more rewarding. Many employers offer bonus programs for administrative assistants who meet their efficiency goals and these days there are plenty of apps that make tracking time as an independent contractor easy! If nothing else, this could help prevent burnout… which means more Netflix binges for everyone!
Use technology to make your work more efficient. One client posted a project list on Upwork that involved calling 50 people from different companies around the globe to ask them about their favorite teas. While she was waiting between calls, she used her phone to update her Twitter feed so she could get verified by Twitter as soon as possible. Her goal? To show off her brand new blue checkmark by the end of the day!
Don’t Let Family Commitments Interfere With Your Work
When you are working at home, your family can become a source of both frustration and amusement. Your kids will want to play with you, and they won’t understand the difference between work hours and playtime, and the harder you try to explain it to them, the more upset they’ll get. Similarly, your partner may not be able to adjust his or her expectations of your time.
In order for everyone in the family to be happy, it’s important for them (and for you) to have a clear understanding of what is expected for both parenting and working from home.
You may need help from other people in order for this plan to work but if you make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are, your work life and family life will run much more smoothly.
Let Your Kids Be Part Of What You’re Doing
Let your kids be part of what you’re doing. One of the best parts of being a freelance administrative assistant is getting to work from home, which means being able to have your kids with you during the day. Take advantage of that! Ask them to help you with typing, filing, or other tasks as needed. They’ll feel like “big kid” assistants and love it!
Make use of the lunch break. Since your job is so flexible and can be done in spurts when free time allows, use those breaks for fun activities to do with the kids if they’re around. Color together or play a quick game before jumping back into work mode again!
Don’t neglect your spouse’s needs. It can be easy to forget about our partners when we’re so busy fulfilling our own goals and desires through our job and kids’ schedules, but this only leads to resentment on their end over feeling neglected in favor of a hobby that pays less than minimum wage. So make sure you take time out for him or her as well!
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Be Open To Unconventional Ways Of Getting Things Done
Be open to unconventional ways of getting things done.
Here are some ways you can shake up your routine without breaking the bank:
Consider using a standing desk. If you’re stuck at a desk for long hours, try standing on occasion.
Work in a different room. Or even better, if you’re lucky enough to live near the mountains/beach/ocean or any other place with beautiful scenery, work there!
Work in a different chair. As someone who has worked remotely for over 10 years—and from my couch for most of that time—I can honestly say I’ve never heard someone mention an ergonomic chair as their secret to keeping remote work interesting and fun. And yet when I look in the mirror, I see someone with back problems staring back at me. So maybe it really would help? Sometimes taking risks pays off!
Take a walk around the block or do some stretches during your lunch hour. The change of scenery will do wonders for your creativity and outlook on life in general. Also, exercise is good!
Work outside if the weather is nice. Sitting outside while working remotely may sound like what they do at Google HQ but you don’t have to be working there to enjoy this activity! The point is that it’s basically free (except maybe sunscreen), and we all deserve more sunshine in our lives anyway so why not take advantage? Plus if you happen to be surrounded by windows it might also make Zoom calls much more bearable than having everyone’s face lit up by fluorescent lights indoors like some kind of interrogation scene from Law & Order SVU or something equally terrible.”
Stay Up-To-Date On Technology
Technology is constantly changing and evolving, which means there will always be new ways for us to stay in touch with our clients more efficiently than ever before.
For example, many companies use Google Docs collaboration tools now instead of emailing files back and forth between each other. This makes communication easier than ever before because everything is stored online.
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Treat Yourself To Something New Every Month!
You’re probably used to buying new clothes when they need replacing or when something catches your eye at the store but why not treat yourself to a new accessory or piece of clothing every single month? Not only will this help keep you feeling fresh and excited about the things in your wardrobe, but it will also give you something fun to look forward to each month.
Get Out Of The House Once A Week!
If you’re working from home, it can be easy for days to slip by without any interaction with other people (except for maybe your cat). Make sure that at least once per week, you go out with friends or family members for dinner or drinks, or just spend time enjoying nature at a nearby park. This will help recharge your batteries and remind you that there are other people in the world besides yourself!
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Conclusion
Well, there you have it. It’s easier than you think to take the initiative and enjoy your work as a freelance administrative assistant. By taking the steps outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to making your job fun and giving yourself power over your career path.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore:
Advice for a First-Time Assistant: Get valuable insights and advice for individuals starting their journey as an assistant.Short description: Gain valuable advice and insights for individuals entering the role of an assistant for the first time.
Hiring an Administrative Assistant: Learn about the best practices and considerations when hiring an administrative assistant for your organization.Short description: Discover best practices and essential considerations when it comes to hiring an administrative assistant for your business.
How to Become a Virtual Assistant: Find out the steps and strategies to become a virtual assistant and build a successful career in the field.Short description: Explore the steps and strategies to become a successful virtual assistant and embark on a flexible career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Be A Freelance Administrative Assistant Without A Degree?
Yes, you can be a freelance administrative assistant without any college degree. In fact, it’s one of the best part-time jobs for students as they’re flexible with their schedules and needs. Freelance online jobs are wonderful if you want to make money on the side or work from home.
What Does A Virtual Assistant Do?
A virtual assistant is like an at-home personal secretary who helps others by making their lives easier. They might manage email accounts and calendar invites, respond to emails, book travel plans, take phone calls, organize documents, and do anything else their clients need them to do!
How Do I Make My Job Fun?
There are a few ways to make your job fun. First, try to find something that you enjoy doing, and then make it part of your daily routine. If you love to read, read during breaks or at lunch. If you love crossword puzzles, do them during breaks or at lunch. If you love eating tacos and listening to music, have a taco party every Friday afternoon!
How Do I Know If I’m Doing Well In My Job?
It’s hard to tell if you’re doing well in your job without outside feedback. Try asking your boss what she thinks about your work, or ask someone else who works there (but not your boss) for their opinion on how you’re doing. You can also check out reviews of the company on Glassdoor or other review sites.
What Should I Do If I’m Bored At Work?
You can try setting a timer for five minutes and taking a walk around the block, getting some water or food (or both), or even just taking a few deep breaths and telling yourself that everything will be okay. These are all small things that can help refocus your energy on the task at hand instead of being distracted by boredom.
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