Getting the most out of your time off

There's no question about it - EAs work hard, so when you have time off you'll want to make the most of it in order to come back refreshed and ready for more. But how do you make sure you're using your vacation wisely?

It's all about asking yourself what you want from your break.

For some, they'll want to escape to another life, another country and get away from everything they have at home for a while. For others, the appeal of time off is that you get to do nothing and can simply relax.

The point is you need to do what's best for you. Don't feel guilty about staying at home and doing nothing - a holiday is your time to do what you want to do. There shouldn't be any pressure to compete with everyone else for 'who had the best overseas vacation' - that's completely missing the point of time off.

Whatever option you choose, the important part is to sever your connection to work while you're gone. You can't adequately recharge if you're still checking your emails and working remotely, as your brain won't have a chance to get out of work mode. So make sure your time off is filled with whatever it is you want to do - not what work or your peers might think you should do.

Two tips for being punctual

One of the most prized traits of an effective EA is punctuality. When people can rely on you to be where you say you'll be, when you say you'll be there, you're able to form trusting relationships. When you're constantly late, people's trust begins to erode or fails to develop. How can you be more punctual?

1. Accept you might have to wait

Many people who are chronically late feel as though being early is a special kind of hell - you arrive at a place with time to spare, time that you now have to spend waiting for the other party to arrive. But being punctual means accepting this will happen from time to time. And consider the flipside - this is how people feel all the time if you're late!

2. Know how long activities take

Sometimes being late is simply a result of having a poor sense of how long things will take. If you expect a drive to a meeting will take 20 minutes when in reality it takes 25, you're always going to be late. If you find you are always late, try adding 5 minutes to every timeframe you have in your head, and see if it helps you turn up on time.

Taking negative feedback well

It's never nice hear about the things you aren't doing well, no matter how confident you appear. That said, negative feedback is something we should all seek more of and take on board as best we can.

How can you take negative feedback well?

1. Accept failure and learning from it as necessary

If you're not failing at least some of the time, you're probably playing it too safe and foregoing chances to grow. When you accept failure and the accompanying negative feedback as necessary for growth, your whole perspective changes. Instead of taking it as an attack on your character or your ability, see it for what it is - an honest opinion on something you can improve at. When you de-personalise it, the feedback becomes a tool for you to improve yourself, instead of a cutting criticism of it.

2. Think of it from the feedback giver's perspective

If it's tough to receive negative feedback, think about how difficult it can be to give it. For someone to acknowledge they aren't happy with something you've done and to have the courage to tell you without fear of ruining your working relationship is something to be applauded. Putting yourself in the other person's shoes can help you become more accommodating to what they're saying.

How to prepare for a performance review

Performance reviews are almost always stressful. They're the chances to talk about the scope of your role with your Executive, bring up any feedback you might have, or even request a pay rise.

Here's how to prepare for your next performance review.

Know where you stand in your own mind before

Make sure you know how you feel about your performance before the appraisal begins. This kind of self-appraisal is valuable, because it allows you to potentially preempt any questions or feedback your Executive might have for you, and put together an answer. Being honest about your own performance can give you confidence too, if you're planning on asking for a raise.

Think about where you'd like the role to go

Are you happy with the role as it currently stands? Would you prefer more responsibility? Less? Job considerations like this should be made before the appraisal because you never know what might be offered to you when you're in it - being taken unawares can cause you to make a decision you might otherwise not have.

Three signs someone is about to quit

For EAs who like to keep their teams tightly-knit and highly capable, somebody quitting can be a devastating blow. However, resignations don't always come out of the blue - here are three signs someone may be looking to leave.

1. They're only doing the bare minimum more often

Somebody who has passion for the job and wants to further themselves in their position is usually going to put in more than just the bare minimum. If you notice someone who was once a high performer choosing to take the easy route more often, it could be sign they're ready to move on.

2. They no longer put their hand up for long term projects

Somebody who's looking to leave in the next few months is not going to put their hand up for a year-long project, especially if they know that once they commit someone else can't easily take their place.

3. They frequently leave work early

If an employee in the past was frequently seen working late at the office, but now leaves very early, this can be a sign they're not concerned with either the job or how they're perceived because they know they will soon be leaving.

These signs aren't always a indication of an intention to depart - it's when they're all present that you should be concerned.

Why is humour in the workplace so important?

Humour in the workplace is often overlooked as being unimportant. But its effects can actually do a lot for you and your office.

Here are three reasons why humour is so important.

1. People will enjoy working with you

It's certainly true that you don't need to be a comedian to be good at your job. However, if you want people to be more comfortable around you, showing your humorous side can work wonders

2. It's cathartic

Having a laugh is one of the best ways to melt away stress. A joke isn't always the correct response to a troubling situation, but remember that making light of something doesn't mean it's not being taken seriously. Jokes can give you and your colleagues the courage to tackle a challenge that might otherwise be too intimidating to face.

3. It creates an enjoyable culture

Coming to a dry and serious office isn't fun for anyone, no matter how much they love their job. An office that can take a joke is one that many people are going to feel excited to come to each day. Offices don't have to be comedy clubs, but there's no reason they have to be overly serious either. Remember, your company culture is an asset, and a culture that appreciates humour is going to attract a lot of people.