Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Be Your Own Personal Assistant

“Self-care” is even more of a hot topic since the pandemic. Usually, it’s about taking time for some yoga or a hot bath. But really, one of the nicest things you can do for yourself is to be your own (fabulous) personal assistant.

I’ve found that one of the side-effects of the pandemic is that I have a lot more “strands” to keep track of. In the before times, I’d have plenty of days where I’d just get on the subway and spend a good chunk of the day with a client, and then tend to one or two smaller items when I got home. Now, every day has more smaller to-dos: more phone calls, more emails, more tasks related to remote projects, Zoom consults and virtual workshops. It seems like it should be easier, since I’m staying in one place, but it feels harder to keep a handle on.

Once upon a time, secretaries were everywhere, making men’s lives run smoothly. I’m glad women have more opportunities far beyond the typing pool, and that most people are expected to tend to their own desks, files and typing. But I do sometimes wish I had a Joan Holloway to keep things humming along, and whose job it was to think, What would make Amanda’s life easier tomorrow?

That’s why I’ve started trying to do what a really fabulous personal assistant would do for me, if I had a personal assistant.

It’s just doing a little prep work the night before. I print out the next day’s agenda from my calendar, and jot down any to-dos that I want to tackle the following day. Then, I leave my desk neat, with that piece of paper and any other relevant documents or files placed next to my computer, and it looks and feels orderly and manageable—like a fresh start waiting for me each morning.

It doesn’t have to be a huge project. It could be a to-do list, or a grocery list, or maybe it’s laying out your exercise clothes. It could be anything, but the fact that you have committed, and smoothed the way for yourself, should help you bring that task home.

Life is hard. We all have a lot going on. Your tasks may seem mundane, but that is the thing about great personal assistants: They don’t judge, they help. So, give yourself the ultimate gift this week, be your own personal assistant, attend to your own needs, try to make your own life run more smoothly. You’ll be amazed by how much more effective and efficient you are, and that’s an excellent way to roll towards 2021.