Today is Administrative Professional’s Day. Along with all the other holidays that are in celebration of me, I love this one too! It may just be a ‘Hallmark’ holiday, but I’ll take it anyway. Anything for a little ‘celebration.’
People ask all the time, “What is it that you do?” I’m sure you’ve been asked this question numerous times in your life. The interesting part about this question is its universal understanding. We all know the question is directed at our career. Not what we do for fun or as a hobby, but for a paycheck. What do you do every day in order to survive, to put food on the table, and to support your hobbies?
I am in the administrative field. Today is in celebration of me (someone quick tell my husband so he brings home flowers tonight). I have many friends who’d like to talk me into going back to school, getting a ‘better’ career, making more money. I have little to no interest. This is why: I have a good life. I may have a few days a year that I work overtime, or bring my work home with me, but for the most part, my off time is my off time. I get to live my life, work on my hobbies, spend my weekends with my husband (when he’s not working himself!). I love that I don’t have to worry about my job taking away from my real life. I never wanted that kind of career. Life isn’t about working 24/7 (although for some people it may be). For me, life is about Saturday and Sunday. Life is what I do with my time for ME. I work hard during my workday, and most days, that’s where it stays. At work. So before you judge someone with a ‘lesser’ career choice than yours, take a moment to think about what they’re choosing. It may not be your choice, but it may be something they’ve chosen. Not just something they are doing to get by.
The poster above is something I live by. I want to make the most of my life, not my living. I want to remember what it was that I did in my off time. No one is going to remember me by what I did on a daily basis at work (maybe if I was a famous surgeon or lawyer…way too ambitious for me), but people will remember what I stood for, how I lived my life, and all of my accomplishments along the way. Take time to create life outside of your career. What’s the worst thing that can happen?
Back to the point. Needless to say, on Administrative Professionals Day, I had to make a little something for the other assistants I work with (there are 28 of them!). I saw this really cute blog post from Our Best Bites with an adorable free printable (find it here, along with the how-to on the candy bars they created). I just changed mine up a bit because I didn’t want to spend the money to buy large candy bars for 28 people! Instead, I printed smaller versions, popped a hole in them, and tied them with curling ribbon to snack size candy bars. Everyone appreciated them, maybe not as much as a large candy bar, but hey, what they don’t know can’t hurt them! 🙂
I think you husband will get you flowers on your big day.
After all, he buys you jewelry on Cesar Chavez Day 😉
You’re so kind, making those treats for your colleague…..I had a ‘proper’ job for three years. Couldn’t stand it. I made a promise to myself on the day I decided to leave that I’d never work for anyone EVER. Sixteen years later, I’ve kept my promise and I’m too set in my ‘self-employed’ ways now to ever change that (although never say never….if Richard Branson called, needing a head of a new ‘women’s entrepreneur initiative’ or some such, I’d gladly accept a pay check from Sir Richard!)……
I am so jealous!! I would love to work for myself, but I have yet to find anything that can support me enough. I have enough creative talent, but still haven’t found anything that can make me enough money to survive! 🙂
Is it something you’d be interested in? How about classes? Craft blogging? Etsy?
There’s a lot that I would be interested in, it just happens that we live in the most expensive area in our country, and unfortunately, I need a solid income in order for us to have a decent life. People always suggest I start an Etsy, but maybe I’m just not supportive enough of myself, because I can’t imagine anyone would buy my stuff! I am going to start looking into some type of travel blogging…or something along those lines!
Hhmmm……I bet you if you did go the Etsy route you’d have lots of customers really quickly (just saying!)…..