Shirley's Articles / Specially for Secretaries and PAs

Today’s Secretaries – Get Ready For The Future

The Future

As we move further into the 21st century, secretaries should continue to do what they have been doing in the past… Take every opportunity to develop, to grow, to learn, to adapt and to move with the times. There will always be a need for well-qualified and experienced secretaries who make a continuing commitment towards increasing skills and competencies. So, go on secretaries, show that you are truly ‘Ambassadors of Excellence’. You have certainly come a long way, and with your role evolving all the time, the future looks very exciting – and the only way is UP!

How Can You Be A Super Secretary?

Here are my tips for how you can be an Ambassador of Excellence:

A

dvance yourself constantly. Learn new software programs, develop new skills, and attend workshops, seminars and refresher courses.

M

aximise your people skills. In today’s team-orientated work environment, learn how to build and maintain positive relationships at work.

B

e open minded. What you thought was so yesterday may not be so today … and vice versa. Be willing to look at new information in a new light so that you can make new decisions to keep yourself fresh and uptodate.

A

djust your goals and set new ones. Work towards making them happen.

S

witch on to technology. New jobs are evolving constantly because of computer knowledge. Make sure you’re ready.

S

pend time with people you admire the most. Learn whatever they can teach you.

A

void negative people. What they have is contagious, and very difficult to cure.

D

evelop your skills and abilities. Seek new challenges constantly, and take on new responsibilities that will expand your skill base.

O

utshine yourself. Give 100% every time, not just when you think there may be something in it for you. Give your best every time and it will build consistently into a superior performance.

R

evise your working routines and practices constantly. Look for new ways to do things better, quicker, more efficiently and more effectively.

If you want to be a Super Secretary, here are my tips:

S

witch on to technology. New jobs are evolving constantly because of computer knowledge. Make sure you’re ready.

U

tilise your skills and abilities fully. Seek new challenges and take on new responsibilities that will expand your skill base.

P

rocess your people skills. In today’s team-orientated work environment, learn how to build and maintain positive relationships at work.

E

xceed your own best. Learn something new every day – from co-workers, newspapers, TV, wherever. Stretch your mind and it will stretch your limits.

R

emove minutes, dollars or hassles from the tasks you do regularly. Play “beat the clock” with yourself. Use good time management.

S

pend time with people you admire the most. Learn whatever they can teach you.

E

ducate yourself constantly. Learn new software programs, develop new skills, and attend workshops and seminars.

C

onstantly set new goals for yourself. Work towards making them happen.

R

evise your working routines and practices constantly. Look for new ways to do things better, quicker, more efficiently and more effectively.

E

xcel yourself. Give 100% every time, not just when you think there may be something in it for you. Give your best every time and it will build consistently into a superior performance.

T

ry to be true to yourself. Know your values and where you draw the line.

A

void negative people. What they have is contagious, and very difficult to cure.

R

etain an open mind. What you thought was so yesterday may not be so today … and vice versa. Be willing to look at new information in a new light so that you can make new decisions to keep yourself fresh and uptodate.

Y

es! Say yes! Don’t let your first thoughts be “it’s too much work” or “I don’t know”. Approach everything with a positive attitude – say “I can” not “I can’t”!

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Shirley is an international bestselling author. She has established herself as a leading authority in email and business writing skills. Her international bestseller Model Business Letters, Emails & Other Business Documents 7th edition sold over half a million copies worldwide and has been translated into 17 languages. Her book Email Essentials reached #2 in the USA for publishers Marshall Cavendish International. Find out more about Shirley at shirleytaylor.com.

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