Ask the Career Consultant: Got the Blahs

Dear Lisa,

I really am in need of a pick me up for my attitude! Every day I feel myself slipping further and further into negativity about the current job market, the stress of doing more with less resources, and just overall feeling blah about my job lately.

Can you give me your top ideas for being successful in the workplace? Maybe that will spark my passion again and keep me motivated! I need help in getting my focus back.

Scared and Unmotivated

Dear S&U:

Thanks for writing. I think your feels are shared by many of our friends here at Office Arrow. I admire your honest assessment of your current state of mind! You have done yourself a huge favor by stopping on the precipice of falling over the cliffs of negativity.

I would be happy to share my Top Ten ideas for being successful in the workplace. I will preface my list by saying it was challenging to narrow it down to ten, but I looked for the message within your question and focused on how to get you motivated again! They are not in any particular order or priority - so read through them all first. Commit to thinking about and practicing one of these ideas every week. Please don't overwhelm yourself by trying to incorporate all of them at once - that will really send you over the cliff!

Top Ten Ideas for Success in the Workplace and Re-igniting Your Enthusiasm!

1. Value your role as an administrative professional

First and foremost (if there is a priority, then this one is it!) stop right now and march right into the nearest rest room. Stand in front of the mirror and look closely at the reflection you see. Break in to a big smile. Then, repeat three times: What I'm doing makes a difference.

2. Respect others and yourself

Don't fall into the trap of berating yourself in front of others; show confidence in your own ability. During this time of feeling "less than," work especially hard at not participating in belittling or gossiping about the organization, executives and coworkers.

3. Be willing to learn new skills

Don't be too proud to admit when you don't know something. I live by the motto, "Know what I don't know." Be willing to ask questions, and take notes when learning something new to help minimize unnecessary questions later. Nothing will spark your motivation plugs more than opening yourself up to new challenges and being seen as someone who gets excited about learning.

4. Be disciplined

Maybe you need to set some fresh, new goals for yourself. Once you have those goals (the big picture) on paper, come up with the "hows" or the tactical habits, as I call them. Being practicing TODAY.

5. Understand the difference between a "can-do" attitude and a "will-do" attitude

It's easy to say we have a "can-do" attitude. Despite your lack of motivation, if asked the question, you might respond with certainty that your can is full of attitude! However, in my experience, it's much more powerful to practice the "will-do" attitude because that requires action! A "will-do" attitude means you're committed to getting results; you will think about, implement and improve if necessary, the tasks requested. "Can-do" means maybe not; "will-do" means definitely. There's empowerment in that simple differentiation that can catapult us into action.

6. Be a Sandbox Sally

Learning to play well in the sandbox makes things more fun and enjoyable. Open yourself up to being empathetic to your coworkers - they too are working under tight deadlines and are dealing with heavy workloads. Share ideas and avoid "competing" with your coworkers. Instead, use each other's strengths to improve yourself. Use their assets as your own.

7. Image really is everything

When we feel frustrated and on the edge of the cliff of negativity, it's easy to lose our "edge" and slip a bit when it comes to our professional image. This includes our confidence projection, how we conduct ourselves on the telephone, our dress, our tone, our demeanor - everything about us that sends a message to others. Do a quick self-assessment and be honest with yourself. Are there any areas that need adjustment?

8. Be organized

Effective organizational skills will always be the hallmark of success for an AP. Read up on the latest trends and ideas to stay productive and organized. Keep your calendar (whether it's electronic or a paper planner) updated daily. Find creative ways using Excel to track tasks. Spreadsheets are your friend!

9. Use your words

I adopted this phrase from my daughter and I think it's terrific! When her little daughter resorts to toddler whining or physical displays of frustration, she simply says, "Lilly, use your words." It works miracles! In our case, it means communicate with people effectively. It's better to "over-communicate" than to leave any questions unanswered. Include all involved parties when communicating and leave nothing left to assumptions. Successful APs understand the value of practicing face-to-face communication. Thinking about what you will say and how to say it for win-win results is critical to building relationships. Use email for what it was intended for - short, concise messages. Don't allow it to take the place of personal communication. I recently read an article in Success Magazine about a small company that has a policy: When you are in the office and need to communicate with another coworker, email is not allowed. Wow! That's revolutionary!

10. Follow the I-and-A rule

Integrity and accountability will get you further in your career than all the software you will every master! Say what you mean and mean what you say. If your boss, coworkers and peers see that you are dependent, thorough and honest, you gain their trust and respect. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions. Instead of trying to find excuses or blame others or even yourself, take ownership. When an error is presented, take it as an opportunity to improve and learn.