Survive Being an Administrative Professional

It is Administrative Professionals week which led me to searching for stories about the event. This particular story is less about the celebrations this week and more about surviving the work environment while being the best administrative professional you can be.

This article that comes from Feng Shui Diva online has some great tips for today's administrative professional:

Food and flowers are fine once a year, but reducing stress in the workplace by creating a healthier workspace is a gift that lasts all year. Administrative professionals handle incoming clientele at the door and on the phones. They field calls and get messages and information to you. And they do many other things to support the office staff. Here are a few basic things you can do to create a less stressful work environment for them, and the whole office gang.

Cover Your Back

Sit with your back to a wall. If there is activity going on behind your back and you can't see it, you won't be relaxed on the job. You'll be more tense than you need to be and this will drain your energy. If your back has to be exposed, add a small mirror in your workspace so you can see behind you.

Get Out Of The Line Of Fire

Don't sit directly across from an entrance door. Make sure you are sitting off to the side of the door. Standing in the doorway, if someone can toss a ball straight ahead and hit you in your chair, energy or "chi" flowing into the office will also hit you. This is very draining. Low energy is bad for your mental and physical health. When you don't feel good at work, you may not like your job as much.

Reduce Your Exposure To EMFS

Electromagnetic Frequencies from computers and other electronic equipment lower your body's melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that controls your mood and sleep. High exposure to EMFs can cause you to be moody, angry, or depressed. Don't put your leg against the computer tower, or your feet near the power strip or transformer plugs. High EMF exposure also adds to road rage on your ride home.

Always Remember "You Are Not Your Job"

Work is just one part of your life and it's very important for you to remember while you're working that you have a life outside of your job. Make sure you support yourself psychologically in your work space by displaying photos of the special people and pets in your life, and your favorite hobbies and activities. This kind of psychological support will help keep your spirits up during your stressful days.

Don't Let Your Job Make You Sick

Studies show stress in the workplace causes anxiety, irritability, tiredness, fatigue, insomnia, depression, headaches, tardiness, absenteeism, and accidents. This article takes an in depth look at the psychological and environmental sources of workplace stress with helpful information from the World Health Organization, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the American Institute of Stress, and more. Pass it on to your boss or human resources manager.