Reimagining the Admin: From Paper Pusher to Power Player
This week, in honor of Administrative Professionals Day, I’ve been reflecting on just how far we’ve come—and how much further we can go.
This week, in honor of Administrative Professionals Day, I’ve been reflecting on just how far we’ve come—and how much further we can go.
After the stress of a normal day, I decided to go for a quiet walk one evening to clear my head. Deadlines were piling up, emails were unanswered, and I had recently signed up for a professional development course. My mind felt cluttered, and I needed to regroup.
This experience is a perfect metaphor for work. Just like my walk, the way we direct our attention determines what we perceive as important. But too often, we get distracted by new projects, constant emails, last-minute requests—or worse, by other people’s urgent (but not truly important) priorities.
The other weekend, my 9-year-old son asked if he could buy a grabber from Amazon. Not a toy one—he wanted the real deal. He scrolled past the plastic claws and chose one with a telescopic arm, textured grippers, and a sturdy two-pronged claw.
Then, without hesitation, his 5-year-old brother chimed in: “I want a grabber too!”
When an employee asks for a raise, a promotion, a new title, or additional flexibility, their request is rarely just about the tangible outcome.
A few years ago, I had an employee who was eager for a promotion. She was smart, hardworking, and ambitious, but every time we talked about her next steps, she focused on why she deserved it rather than how she was growing into it. She wanted the title, the salary bump, and the recognition—but when I asked what skills she was actively developing to prepare for the role, she didn’t have an answer.
This is a common trap. We assume career growth is about proving we’re already ready for the next step. But real growth isn’t about waiting for someone to acknowledge our potential—it’s about actively stepping into it.
You know that feeling—that tightness in your chest, the rush of adrenaline, the heat creeping up your neck. Your heart pounds. Your stomach turns. It’s that moment when something big is on the line.
Maybe it’s a high-stakes conversation with your boss. A job interview. A tough negotiation. An audition. A difficult talk you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, your body reacts before your mind can catch up.
Funny thing is, that feeling? It’s the same whether you’re terrified of failing or thrilled with anticipation. The butterflies before a nerve-wracking presentation aren’t so different from the ones you get before stepping on stage to perform or meeting someone who makes your heart race.
Why? Because deep down, you care.
Years ago, I was a 20-year-old art student standing in a chaotic train station in Rome, desperate to see Paris. My friend and I strategized as best we could—there was a train strike, and the route to Paris was blocked. The furthest we could get was Milan, and from there… who knew? Frustrated, my friend threw in the towel and headed back to our apartment.
But I couldn’t let it go. Paris was calling.
Armed with $200, blind hope, and zero backup plan, I boarded a train to Milan.
After a whirlwind trip, every hunger pang, every aching blister, and every moment of uncertainty was worth it.
Find Your Eiffel Tower.
If you want to get ahead in your career, stop protecting your energy.
Gasp! Clutch your pearls! But we must protect our energy! I’m going to challenge this. Stay with me, new-agey mindful peeps. Breathe.
In recent years, we have been told to protect our energy. Social media clung to this notion with fervor and sold us (women especially) all kinds of products in the name of “self-care”. Excuse me while I secretly buy another miracle face mask from the Dead Sea of Immortal Fairy Tears.
But in all seriousness, after an era of exhausted working mothers, young women entering the workforce are being careful not to fall into the traps of previous generations.
Mornings are getting colder here in Virginia. I even noticed some frost on the grass. Just last week when I started my car, the familiar low-pressure tire symbol appeared on my dashboard. As the air gets colder, our tires need a little extra air. This was no big deal. I planned to go to my nearest gas station and add a few pounds to the tires.
At the first gas station, the air pump was out of order. No big deal, I’d visit the Wawa near my kids’ school after the morning drop-off. The air pump is free at Wawa. When I got there, there was a long line of cars waiting for free air. No big deal. My tires weren’t flat, it was just a result of the colder air. I could ride on them a little longer. I would find another gas station.
Next, I visited the gas station near my office, confident that every gas station has an air pump. I was wrong. Strike three.
At this point, frustration would be a natural reaction. I simply could not find a place to pump up my tires. However, I found it quite amusing.
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