CareerSuccess Magazine Issue 1 2019 Summer

for administrative & office professionals

Volume 32 Issue 1

5 things YOUR BOSS will expect from you this year!

Career Boosting Steps YOU CAN TAKE NOW!

PLUS Handling NOs positively

You can achieve personal change Why your first hour of the DAY is key

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Contents 06 Quick Reads For you and your boss 12 Key Feature 14 Workplace Efficiency 16 Productivity 18 Office Work Tips 20 Health and Wellness 24 Zippy Profiles Short and sweet - and good to know!

20 Career boosting steps you can take right now.

My first hour of the day

Taking notes on coloured paper

5 things your boss wants you to try this year

Personal change management skills

Stephanie Wium, Delayne Kirsten, Pepe Reddy, Hema Kooverji

33 Coaching Class 34 Interview 36 Speaker Interview 38 Last Page

Turn 'NO' into a powerful postive

Getting to know Jeana Turner

Lizette Volkwyn, Master Life Coach

Test your wits. Have some fun!

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5

Ed’s memo

"Be WILLING to be a BEGINNER every SINGLE MORNING."

N

Meister Eckhart

othing could touch the soul so much as this quote by Eckhart! The courage it takes it takes to abide by it is quite something though!

Wow! I am going to make this my mantra this year! The wonderful and powerful thought that every single day I wake up with the attitude that an adventure lies ahead – the adventure of learning more! Being more!

And from the bottom of my heart this is what I wish for you too! That you may be blessed throughout 2019 to be an even better version of yourself by waking every morning with that precise desire: 'To work on the day becoming one that will see you leave in the evening for home knowing that no matter what the day was like, you learned something new – even if just about yourself!

From what we heard from you, last year was not an easy ride! But we journeyed through it, and we are here to tell the story, right? So, that is in itself a blessing. We have the opportunity of having learnt some tough lessons and make our roots stronger.

This year we have the opportunity to let those roots sprout into something valuable within us and for us. We have the right to nourish the shoots and make ourselves strong and sturdy for the adventure of 2019.

In this edition you will find really good ‘nutrients’ for the heart and mind. Use each one to cultivate inspiration in yourself and to brace yourself for the brave new world ahead. …And remember we are here for you, each step of the way.

Sunny regards Ana-Maria

Editorial

The Company

Editor-in-chief

CareerSuccess is published by

Ana-Maria Valente

Lazuli Communications (Pty) Ltd

anamaria@lazulicommunications.co.za

Gauteng, South Africa

Assistant Editor

Tel: (011) 616 7401

Mastoora Ramiah

Fax: (011) 616 3244

Admin/Advertising

Opinions expressed in any article do not necessarily reflect on

Director

the publishers. All submissions to CareerSuccess are subject

Ornella Trinco

to editorial change to suit the style of the magazine. The right

ornella@lazulicommunications.co.za

of reproduction of any article or other matter published in

Head: Finance & HR

CareerSuccess is expressly reserved.©

Guida Morais

CareerSuccess is the official mouthpiece for PAFSA,

admin@lazulicommunications.co.za

the Professional Association for Secretaries and Admin Assistants.

Website: www.pafsa.co.za PAFSA is on Facebook

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quick reads for you and the boss

Designing Jobs of the FutureCritical insights for your executives We must embrace that new jobs will be created just as quickly as others become obsolete!

To build a workforce that ignites innovation and better meets the changing expectations of your customers, our business leaders must embrace a strategic approach to planning. The external environment is changing so rapidly that workforce planning should be an ongoing process.

Our executives can start the planning process by re-evaluating the fundamental architecture of the jobs within their organisations.

Important guidelines for bosses Examine your overall organisational and leadership structure.

Look closely at the leadership structure and the people in those roles. Particularly if you've had low turnover or relied heavily on a culture of mainly promoting

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

from within, you may find your biggest obstacles to adapting to change are sitting at the top of your organisation.

Replace the career ladder with the climbing wall.

•

As you develop your people strategy, think about skills and competencies in terms of a climbing wall.

This is a much more apt metaphor in the digital age for understanding the way' that people grow their skills through the life cycle of their career. They move up but also over, acquiring new skills or experience. Make sure your rewards program is flexible enough to accommodate these kinds of moves.

Consider how you can best fill high- value, emerging roles.

Do you have a people analytics driven process to identify people who have the potential for building the required skills? Do your learning and development programs support and incentivize your people to develop their skills for the jobs of tomorrow? •

Consider people's competencies and skills holistically.

Adopt a talent model that evaluates the totality of the person's experience to determine how his or her skills will translate into business value.

Employees don't just move vertically up a ladder at an organization anymore.

Insights from Aon’s talent, rewards and performance white paper. More information on 011 894 2767; Conny Manaso

organised and executed?

A Very Human Future - Enriching Humanity in a Digitized World A Very Human Future - Enriching Humanity in a Digitized World acknowledges the powerful technological shifts reshaping our world and addresses key themes that are occupying the minds of business leaders, and organizations across the globe: Exponential Technologies How might exponential technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) evolve over the next two decades and impact society, business, industry sectors, and government?

Future of Work What are the implications for the way work will be

Policy Priorities What societal, political, and economic priorities are required, so that we avoid dehumanizing ourselves and future generations?

Enriching Humanity How can we harness intense technological bursts of possibility to bring about a better world for all inhabitants?

The central argument of the book is that we cannot and generally should not try to hold back innovation.

Instead, the book argues that we need to overturn assumptions that hold back

Let your imaginatiON take

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societal adaptation and human advancement.

In the book, Rohit Talwar and his co-authors Steve Wells, Alexandra Whittington, and Helena Calle present a hard hitting twelve-point manifesto of how we can prepare ourselves for deep disruption.

Read more about the book: A Very Human Future Enriching Humanity in a Digitized World.

Rohit Talwar rohit@ fastfuture.com; Alexandra Whittington alex@fastfuture.com

quick reads FYI

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KEEP IT SIMPLEKEEP IT GOOD Many believe that complexity in writing is proof of education.

In a South African context, this is not entirely surprising. Given our history of apartheid and discrimination, there exists a belief that education is the ticket to getting ahead. And a sure way to show that you are educated, it is believed, is through a style of writing that is formal, dense and verbose.

People write in a complex and opaque style because they believe it shows sophistication in thinking and that this is what leads to recognition and promotion.

But, globally, there is a huge push in the opposite direction. There is a push towards plain language.

Definitions of plain language: 44 A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. (The Plain Language Association International - PLAIN) 44 The writing and setting out of essential information in a way that gives a cooperative, motivated person a good chance of understanding it at first reading, and in the same sense that the writer meant it to be understood.

(The Oxford Guide to Plain English by Martin Cutts) Both definitions define plain language in terms of the person reading. This is essential to grasp: at the core of plain language is the principle of putting your reader first in your writing.

Why write in plain language? Because it: •

Helps the reader find the information they need quickly and easily.

•

Helps the reader understand what they have to do.

•

Saves time and money by reducing mistakes and misunderstandings.

•

Is good for interpersonal relationships.

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

•

Is good for customer service

Some tips Plain language is not just about using words that are easy to understand.

Plain language encompasses all areas of writing, from correct punctuation and grammar to sentence structure and document layout.

You can do five things immediately that will make an enormous difference to your writing and set you well on your way to writing in plain language.

1. Ask yourself the question, “Who am I writing to?”. Answer this question as fully as possible so that you are clear who your reader is, what your relationship to them is, and how they will read and understand what you have written.

Put yourself in your reader’s shoes.

2. Lay out your document or email in a way that makes it easy for your reader. Use paragraphs and headings to guide your reader. And make sure there is plenty of white space.

3. Write sentences that average 15 to 20 words but have variety, with

some longer sentences and some shorter.

4. Keep the word order of your sentences simple and in the active voice.

Simple means put the doer of the verb early in the sentence and follow it by the verb. Use the active voice means write We made mistakes not Mistakes were made.

5. Avoid jargon and business catchphrases, but if you are going to use them, ask whether they are appropriate for your audience.

The following quote has been variously attributed to Albert Einstein and Woodie Guthrie: Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.

Source: Language Boss – training people to write and speak properly in the workplace. www.thelanguageboss.com; Tel: +27-21-4477254

TM

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quick reads FYI

FACEBOOK: As a PARENT this is what YOU should do!

More than 2.23 billion people across the globe use Facebook; of this massive figure eight percent represent children between the ages of 13 and 17 which is a staggering 170 million, give or take a few thousand.

What can you do?

For one, try and delay your child’s usage of Facebook till they are mature enough to navigate it safely. When you finally allow them to create an account, instil basic rules to keep them safe. Also, as a parent, try and step ahead of their Facebook activities by: •

• • •

Checking their profiles to make sure they’re not giving away sensitive information like a home address, phone number, school name, photos or videos.

Talking about their online friends, especially if they have befriended someone you don’t know yet.

Monitoring the Facebook apps and games they have installed and what data it collects.

Checking their privacy settings and making sure they are only posting to their friends.

Relationship between productivity and working time When taling about productivity one needs to start by making a distinction between ‘time’ and ‘working time’ - because: Working time refers to any period during which a worker works any period during which the worker is receiving 'relevant training' travelling for work or working lunches.

Working time does NOT include travelling between home and work, and lunch breaks.

Working time essentially belongs to the employer while legally and contractually mandated breaks as well as the period before and after work, belongs to the employee! The challenge that most businesses face comes about when employee behaviour infringes

•

Showing them from the get-go how to block and report posts or individual users.

• Reviewing tags and demonstrating how they can first view the pictures and posts (they are tagged in) before allowing it to be posted, • Proactively dealing with cyber-bullying.

Consider security software Installing security software will undoubtedly take a lot of the guesswork out of your child’s Facebook and other social media activities.

“Bitdefender Total Security or Bitdefender Internet Security 2019 offer a Parental Control feature that will assist with your efforts to keep your children safe whether they are using the app or website version of Facebook,” says Meyer.

• With Parental Control you can set-up perimeters such as

on working time, such as arriving late to work, ducking out early or being absent without being sick or having approved leave.

The extent to which the workforce abides by and honours working time is what Kevin Howell, Founder of Ouch!, calls employee discipline: “We are all aware of the commonly identified drains on productivity such as fatigue, company culture, workplace distractions, time spent on social media, scheduling too many pointless meetings etc. but

what applications children can gain access to.

• You can block websites by specific categories.

• Control screen time – perimeters can be set for certain time intervals or times of the day. In fact, multiple profiles can be created such as “week profile” and “weekend profile”.

• Have access to Children Activity Reports, provided via e-mail daily, weekly or monthly. These activity reports will give parents insight into important information such as: »» Attempts to access blocked apps and websites; and »» Blocked call attempts.

More information on 082 805 6302 or sasha@liquidletters.co.za

what all these factors come down to at the end of the day is a lack of discipline.

And in my experience, lack of employee discipline is most pervasive when it comes to the basic principles of punctuality and absenteeism.”

Kevin cautions that while most cases of absenteeism are due to legitimate reasons, habitual absentees lack discipline. More info on Ouch! systtems to manage employee attendance visit www.getouch.co.za, call 086 111 OUCH or email info@ getouch.co.za.

Is your business performance not getting you to the summit?

Erik Vermeulen leads Ridgeline - a boutique consultancy that helps companies explore and build their brands from the inside out. “Strateteering� Workshops Corporate Culture Interventions and Re-engineering Keynote Presentations and MC / Conference Moderation Team Performance Programmes Behavioural Insights

C O N TAC T E r i k Ve r m e u l e n e r i k@ r i d g e l i n e .g l o b a l +2 7 8 3 6 0 3 7 1 1 9

RI DGE LIN E

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key feature

20

Career boosting steps

you can take right now!

Whoa! If anyone deserves a chance to have a great new year ahead, it’s you! Regardless of whether your job status is employed or unemployed, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of getting a jump-start on your career this year!

Here are 20 careerboosting actions to take right now as the New Year begins!

Write Down Your Wins Make a list of your top 10 professional accomplishments from the past year.

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You can incorporate these “wins” into your resumé the next time you spruce it up - employers love seeing descriptions of “accomplishments” as opposed to “duties.”

Congratulate Someone on their Career Success By celebrating others’ “wins,” you’ll reinforce the belief that you’re a positive, encouraging person—two qualities that are on every employer’s wish list!

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Redesign Your Professional Materials 3 Order beautiful new business cards. And then, when that’s set, think about revamping your personal website/ Social media pages. careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

Clean Out Your Inbox Don’t just delete old emails and archive others. Take the next step and unsubscribe from mailing lists that waste your time.

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Send a Thank You Note Think of a colleague, 5 manager, or mentor who helped or inspired you this past year, and let that person know you’re grateful for his or her assistance or inspiration.

Sure, you could use email. But it would be better to use pen and paper.

A handwritten note is a simple, classy way to make people feel special - and strengthen your professional network.

Read Up on How to Get Your Resumé Close to 6 Perfection More specifically, read these really excellent 43 tips on this website. www. themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tipsthat-will-help-you-get-hired.

13 They will only get you closer to getting that job you want. So, tweak your resumé accordingly, or don’t be afraid to start over from scratch instead of building on one you’ve had for years.

Make That Revamped Resumé Stylish Find a beautiful new 7 template among one of these 275 free templates (https://www. themuse.com/advice/275-free-resumetemplates-you-can-use-right-now) and go forward with confidence as you send it out. (After tailoring it for each job, of course.)

Contact an Expert if You’re Lost If you’re feeling stuck or don’t know where to begin, it might be worth it to pay an expert or hire a coach (or ask for training) to get you past your obstacle.

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Learn How to Answer the Most Common Interview 9 Questions Your resumé’s only doing the first part of the talking. The interview step is hugely important and not one that you can risk blowing. Prepare in advance by running through these common questions (https://www.themuse.com/advice/ how-to-answer-the-31-most-commoninterview-questions) and you’ll likely ace it.

Update Your Professional Wardrobe 10 Make sure to purchase items that are both professional and industry-appropriate.

Invest in a Standing Desk You won’t believe the health 11 benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s well worth speaking to your office manager about getting one for the office. (There are also desktop accessories that help you raise your laptop).

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Reorganise Your Workspace Remove clutter. Add beauty.

Make a vision board or write a career manifesto and hang it above your desk.

Get on a Healthier Sleep Schedule 13 It’s no news that many of us are sleep deprived, and being chronically tired is just as bad as going into work tipsy. The more rest you give yourself, the sharper and more productive you will be.

Google Yourself Distasteful social media content?

Snarky blog comments? That YouTube video that you uploaded during a wild party in 2009 still around? Put yourself in an employer or recruiter’s shoes, and make sure your online footprint makes a good impression.

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Take Your LinkedIn Presence to the Next Level Start by adding a personal note when you send out invitations to join your network. You’d be surprised by how few people do this, so it’ll really make you stand out and get noticed.

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Reach Out to Six People You’d Like to Connect With Start lining up coffee dates for the first few weeks of January. (And before you go on any of them, make sure you know how to have the best coffee date ever.) https://www.themuse.com/advice/3common-mistakes-ambitious-peoplemake-during-coffee-meetings 16

Choose a Skill You Want 17 to Improve in 2019 It could be public speaking, time management, or creative writing.

Sign up for a class, seminar, weekly writing group, whatever makes sense for you and whatever might get you motivated. Then decide how you’re going to develop that skill. Block out the time on your calendar now.

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Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. More of a listener? Subscribe to a smart podcast or two. Mmm. Brain food you’ll actually start to crave.

Fill Your Inspiration Tank to the Brim Read career advice article sand inspirational quotes that’ll make you feel ready to take on the world. Or, at least your personal goals.

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Write Out Your One-Year Plan figure out what you plan to do to take your career to the next level.

Maybe it’s telling your network you’re looking to make a move. Or, perhaps it’s getting a promotion (and a raise!).

Whatever it is, figure out how you’re going to make it happen. Whether you’re looking to make a move or are currently satisfied at your job, 20

And if you do only one thing?

Make an effort to re-connect with people you admire. Strengthen the relationships in your professional network. You never know how one follow-up email, thankyou note, or holiday card might impact your career.

Dr. Suzanne Gelb is a clinical psychologist, life coach, and an attorney (voluntarily inactive.) Learn about her work at Dr SuzanneGelb.com Copyright: Daily Muse Inc., 2014. This has been printed and distributed with permission."

Source: https://www.themuse.com/advice/20careerboosting-steps-you-can-take-beforenew-years-eve This article has been mildly adjusted for CareerSuccess.

Read a Few CareerBoosting Classics I recommend Stephen careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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workplace efficiency

My First Hour

Of The Day

I pride myself on being efficient, and I’m betting that you do too. so says Rhonda Scharf

D

on’t you feel that you get more done than just about anyone else? Do you see how others waste their time and do things that don’t make sense? And do you want to tell them what to do to fix it - but you hold your tongue? Me too. Except that I do tell them. LOL! In fact, you could say that it’s my job to tell people what they’re doing wrong and how to fix it.

When someone tells me that I’m doing something wrong, I naturally resist, because I think that I more or less have efficiency figured out.

But that’s not always true.

Efficiency versus squirrel moments I confess that I sometimes get distracted. I’m human, and

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I have my “squirrel” moments. I also have certain tasks I prefer to work on over others. Even so, I think my style works well. I’m still crazy-efficient and I get a lot done.

Recently, I’ve been thinking that the universe is trying to tell me something and I need to listen. I’ve been hearing the same message over and over.

The universe’s message is that I have not been working at peak efficiency. I have been distracting myself, and wasting time. Once I started listening to this message, I realised that I could make more efficient use of the first hour of my day.

I made a simple change in the way I spent that crucial first hour, and my efficiency in the morning improved exponentially! Why didn’t I listen to “the universe” sooner?

In the past, I would do what many admins do. I’d go into my office and open up my email and read it over. Then I would zip over to Facebook to see how much love I was getting (I do love to make you laugh in the morning), I would check LinkedIn, and then Twitter, and then go back to my email and respond to messages.

Don’t get me wrong, that is all a good use of my time.

Social media is part of my business.

Responding to email is crucial to my job. Responding to my email in a timely matter is one of the things that sets me apart from others. I’m good at email. And I enjoy social media (working at home isn’t always as social as I would like).

However, for the first hour of the day, dealing with those things isn’t necessarily the best use of my time. In the past,

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message

from

the

The universe told me that I wasn’t being efficient and it suggested that the first hour of the day should be spent doing the highest value tasks.

Email, social media, and connection are important to me, but they are not the most important things I have to deal with. Your to-do list probably doesn’t include social media but is it easy for you to get caught up in email, cleaning up requests, and socialising with co-workers.

Each of those things is important, and some of your time needs to be spent on them each day. However, the first hour of the day needs to be spent on the tasks that are ultimately the most important drivers of your success.

I just finished writing my book “Alexa is Stealing Your Job.” I love writing. When I signed the contract with my publisher, I had a very short timeframe in which to produce the manuscript (especially since the content for this book is time-sensitive). My time frame coincided with an incredibly busy training delivery time.

When was I going to write this book?

The first hour of every day.

I needed to stop falling into my old habits (email, social media) and get uber-disciplined about what my day looked like. It wasn’t easy, but holy cow did it work!

Using my new regime, I walked into the office and looked at my email. I didn’t delete anything, and I didn’t respond.

I did make sure there were no catastrophes for me to deal with (generally there were not). I forced myself to respond to my emails later. I had to convince myself that an email at 9:30 a.m. was just as good as one sent at 8 a.m. Because it really is.

The world will not grind to a halt Once I looked at my email and saw that the world wasn’t collapsing, I would listen to my voicemail. This would all take less than five minutes. Then I would jump into my most important task. I would set a timer. I would write for one hour a day, for several weeks. And, as expected, I finished the book on time.

And it felt great.

I also realised that taking a full hour at the beginning of the day for the most important task was something that most people don’t do. It made me feel like I was moving

“

I also realised that taking a full hour at the beginning of the day for the most important task was something that most people don’t do.

“

Priority universe

forward with my to-do list. It made me feel (early in the day) that I had accomplished something. I felt good about my new work habit.

I am continuing that approach even though the book is finished. At the end of each day, I decide what my most important task is and I get my work and desk ready for the next day. I remind myself in the morning that I’m not going to get stuck doing “what I’ve always done.” (After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.)

I decided that I’m going to continue to spend the first hour of each day doing the most important task I have.

After the hour is over, I’ll go back to my regular tasks— email, voicemail, paperwork. I will do it. And I will do it in a timely manner. But I’ll do something much more important first.

Over to you!

Don’t get stuck in a routine. Look at all your tasks for each day and ask yourself which task is the hardest, requires the most concentration, and is the most important.

That’s the one you should spend your first hour of the day doing.

Rhonda Scharf is a well-recognized Professional Speaker, Trainer, Consultant and Author based both in Ottawa Canada and Fort Myers Florida. Since 1993 she has worked with tens of thousands of people in 14 different countries.

She has earned the highest speaking designation in the world, the "Certified Speaking Professional” (CSP) and was recently inducted into the Speaking Hall of Fame (HoF).

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productivity

Taking notes on coloured paper

may be the key to your productivity In our technologically advanced world, it may seem redundant to use the traditional pen and paper technique when note-taking, however, the benefits of this traditional technique are clear and could have a highly positive effect on your productivity.

situations is proven to help the brain conceptualise everything that it is fed and being able to colour code information only helps this process.

The traditional form of note-taking and the newer electronic form can work hand in hand if organised and planned properly. Taking notes down on coloured paper can help when transferring bigger pieces of information into an electronic document.

In creative spaces, design thinking, a process of using cognitive and practical activities to problem solve, is a great mechanism to utilise and the benefits of this new way of thinking have been highly documented.

W

hile note-taking apps on your cell phone or tablet might be rather attractive when in a rush or under pressure, choosing to manually write down your thoughts has endless benefits for you both physically and mentally in the workplace or classroom.

Colours have a fascinating effect on the brain and can improve recall time when it comes to information, meaning that next time your boss asks you what so and so really meant, you will be able to rattle off answers quicker if your brain can associate the information with a certain colour.

Whether you are an employee (or a student) trying to take in as much information as possible or trying to wrap your head around your next task, coloured paper – and colourful stationery in general – can make the biggest difference to your processing abilities. Being organised in high-pressure

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

One tool that is impossible to replace when utilising design thinking is the sticky note. These small squares of colourful paper which can be stuck to any surface, have proved to be so handy in brainstorming sessions that it has become mainstream to be asked, ‘what colour would you like?’ even in formal business settings.

Office National stocks both sticky notes and colourful stationery which creates a colour hub for all your colour coding needs. Visit our website and introduce colourful notes into your next business meeting.

More info on: www.officenational.co.za

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careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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officework tips

5

Things your boss wants you to try

in the New Year

It’s a tradition to set New Year’s resolutions, and for many people, these goals involve improving things in their personal lives, like health and wealth. Consider how much time you spend on your career, however, and you’ll see it makes sense to set some resolutions relating to the workplace, too, so says Monique Serbu.

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1

Create a Culture Mentorship

of

Every workplace is filled with people who have vast experience but don’t get an opportunity to put all their knowledge to work. Take a poll around your office to see what talents and skills people have and would be willing to share with others. You may find that people who are whizzes at building complex spreadsheets would welcome the chance to pass that knowledge on to others. A mentorship can make them feel good and improve productivity and confidence among those learning new skills.

Don’t limit people to the skills directly tied to their work, either. You, as the boss’s executive assistant might have a black belt in karate, and teaching a self-defense class or two could let you apply those talents and make a real difference in someone’s life.

2

Stay on Track

Start the New Year by scheduling a monthly meeting with yourself to review your progress. If you aren’t getting to tasks that are critical to your career, sit down with your boss. You might need to adjust some goals, or your boss may have to curtail outside requests that are taking you away from the strategic goals you built together.

3

Pair Complaints Solutions

with

Bosses are used to having employees complain to them, but no one wants to be known as the employee who does nothing but complain. You’ll be more respected and feel more empowered if you can suggest a couple ways to fix what’s frustrating you.

“When you identify a problem, instead of coming to me to report the problem, trying to come with the problem and your proposed solution,” says Paul McHardy, Technology Specialist at USDISH. “Nothing makes a boss’s job easier than when their people are proactive in providing solutions to issues. It helps the decision-making process of what to do much easier, and you earn major bonus points for being the one to solve it.”

4

Be the Brand

The company you work for has invested a lot of resources into building a strong brand, and you represent that brand whenever you’re in the public eye.

“Any time you attend a conference, business dinner, trade show, association meeting, or social event, make sure you are representing both yourself and your company in the best ways possible,” says Jessie West, M.Ed., West Coaching and Consulting. “Share your expertise - on social media (LinkedIn!). Remember to maintain your professional reputation when using social media.

5

Work Smarter, Not Harder

If you aren’t already looking for ways to be more efficient at work, make this resolution a key part of your career goals this year. Believe it or not, innovators aren’t just people like Steve Jobs who change the course of an entire industry.

“If you have an organisational or another idea that would help things run more smoothly in the office, let your boss know! They will likely appreciate it . . . and implementing it could make everyone’s jobs a lot easier,” says Valerie Streif, Senior Advisor with Mentat, a San Francisco–based organisation for job seekers.

Resolutions have a way of failing before New Year’s Day even ends. Commit to making things different with these career resolutions, and you’ll end 2018 happier with your work, your relationships to co-workers, and your outlook heading in 2019.

Monique Serbu is a freelance digital journalist specialising in business, marketing and technology topics. Her work can be seen on Venture Beat, MediaPost and the Stanford Blog.

Source: https://www.glassdoor.com/ blog/try-in-the-new-year/

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health and wellness

Personal Change Management Skills

Although we still do not know what 2019 will bring our way, one certainty is that some sort of change is inevitable. Why do some people seem to sail gently through all the changes life throws at them, while others get upset if they have to change even their breakfast cereal? The key is in how you view change, and your level of acceptance of uncertainty.

T

here is plenty of evidence that what we find most stressful as human beings is uncertainty, not change in itself. Even the most difficult life events, such as divorce or marital separation,

can be more stressful in terms of the uncertainty.

Very often, it’s not the event, but the worry about ‘what will I do?’, or ‘how will the children cope?’ that people find hard. But there are some simple skills that you can develop that will help you to manage change in your own life, whether through work or life events.

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

21 Stress: Some Background It is worth repeating that stress is not all in the mind. Stress can cause genuine physical symptoms, including dizziness, tension headaches, diarrhoea and insomnia, which in turn can make you feel worse, and even more stressed.

This kind of ‘negative feedback loop’ is common in nature, and is designed to make you stop! Your body is trying to tell you something and, if you don’t listen to it, you could find yourself becoming very ill indeed.

Don’t be tempted to ignore the symptoms of stress, and hope that they go away by themselves. They won’t. Instead, you need to deal with the causes.

If you are struggling with stress and it's making you unwell you should seek professional help from a counsellor or healthcare provider.

Stress left unchecked can lead to depression a potentially serious mental illness.

Dealing with Change There is plenty of evidence that we all go through more or less the same process when dealing with change, although particular stages may take rather longer in some cases than others.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross developed a model called the Transition or Change Curve showing how people react to shocking news, and later studies showed that people can react like this also to changes at work.

The model shows that people start in a state of denial, with quite high levels of energy and confidence, but that confidence and energy then dip as they feel the need for support, and then become angry, asking questions like ‘Why me?’. They then start to move towards exploration of their situation and new options, and eventually into acceptance.

Managing Personal Change

Serenity PRAYER God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

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Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

Have you come across the Serenity Prayer!

Although it may have become rather hackneyed, this is not an unreasonable approach to managing change in your life.

Accepting the Things That You Can’t Change One of the things which those who embrace change generally say that they do is to accept what can’t be changed, and worry only about what they can change themselves.

It can be very hard to let go of worrying, but there is no point in getting stressed about things over which you have no control. continued on next page

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

22

health and wellness

If you find yourself lying awake at night worrying about something, ask yourself: “Can I do anything to change either the likelihood of this happening, or the outcome if it does happen?”

If the answer is genuinely a resounding ‘No’, then park the issue. Put it to one side, as something that may happen, or not, but over which there is no point in worrying. Then, and this is important, find something else to occupy your mind instead!

Planning to Change the Things That You Can

A worked example

The next step is to consider the issues and areas over which you do have control. Instead of worrying about the potential change, ask yourself two questions:

The company you work for looks like being taken over by another, and you’re worried that you might lose your job, or that you might end up doing something less interesting.

•

Realistically, is there anything that I can do to change the likelihood of this event happening, and if so what?

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Realistically, is there anything that I can do to change the outcome to a more favourable one for me, and if so what?

The key word here is realistically: these have to be actions that you can genuinely take to change things, not ‘ideal world’ things like ‘I will get a plumbing qualification within three weeks and be the best student they’ve ever seen’.

Before thinking about how you can change the outcome, it is important to think about what your ideal outcome might look like, and how likely that is to happen anyway.

Is there anything that you can realistically do to change the likelihood of the company being taken over?

No. Unless you’re the CEO, it’s out of your hands. Stop worrying about it.

Is there anything you can realistically do to make a more favourable outcome for you more likely?

Yes. Brush up your CV or résumé, get in touch with a recruitment agency specialising in your type of work, and look for another job.

The Wisdom to Know the Difference This is the final element in managing change gracefully.

Those who accept and manage personal change well are those who are clear about what they want. They are quick to decide what they cannot change, and to put it to one side. They are also effective in taking the necessary steps towards change and taking control of those elements that they can change.

And Finally…

The most important element to remember is that: Once you have made your final decision about what you can and can’t change, and what you are going to do about it, stick to it.

Accept your decision and move on. Don’t constantly worry about ‘what if’, as that will undermine all your good work in parking the things that you can’t control. It doesn’t even matter if the reason that you can’t realistically do anything is ‘I have too much else on in my life to have time to deal with this’. It’s fine.

Give yourself a break, and accept your own wisdom.

Source : www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/personal-change-management.html

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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Post script on change by Daniel Burrus

Gaining Control of Your Future

from the Inside Out.

W

hen there are workplace changes, are they coming at you from the outside in, or inside out? At first, it seems like a trick question, but there is some good logic behind it. Your answer can reveal a lot about your preparedness for the future. In other words, whether you’re anticipatory or reactionary.

I have found that at workplaces the majority of change comes from the outside in. The list of For example: When a new technology comes out that changes customer behavior, you’ll most likely request that your IT department get the new products in order to keep up with the accelerating changes.

Change from the outside-in can affect our personal lives as well. For example, when petrol prices go up, you may be inclined to change your spending and/or driving habits in order to even things out. If you or your spouse are laid off, your daily focus shifts to finding work.

The truth is, most of us are being conditioned to make changes based on outside factors.

Whenever change comes from the outside, we are forced to react to it.

Rather than being proactive, we find ourselves constantly putting out fires and managing the latest crisis.

Crises Come from the Outside In •

When the competition launches a new product, we need to react quickly and decisively to combat it.

•

When a new IT technology becomes available, it is acquired in order to change business conditions.

Opportunity Comes from the Inside Out One reason for Facebook’s unprecedented success is that it picked up where the limitations of other platforms like MySpace left off.

By getting close to knowing for certain the things that are going to occur (Hard Trends) and being aware of those things that may occur but are open to influence (Soft Trends), you can anticipate the future. And from there, you can plan accordingly. That’s a dynamic force that moves from the inside out, rather than just outside in.

I would argue that the only way to positively influence your future is to drive some of the change from the inside out.

5

Tips for Thinking Inside Out

It is essential to spend at least a small portion of time thinking about your future in an opportunity mode. To do this, you have to realize that there will always be fires to put out, but putting out fires will not move you forward in a well thought out way.

1. Build thinking time into your schedule. Try spending a minimum of one hour a week unplugging from the present crisis and plugging into future opportunity.

2. Find certainty in chaos. Instead of feeling blocked by all the things you are uncertain about in your work and life, ask yourself: What am I certain about? Those are the Hard Trends.

3. Be anticipatory. What is sure to happen in the next two to three years? What problems will your company be facing; your profession be facing?

4. Dream a little. Another good question to ask is: What is my ideal future? What are the steps to get there – whether it’s a promotion or career change?

5. Put ideas into motion. Once you are clear on your vision,spend some of your opportunity time solving problems before they happen.

That’s the crux of inside-out thinking; you get to ask yourself what steps you can take to shape the future now – not later.

The reality is, there will still be more fires to put out tomorrow and the day after. Build the opportunity hour into your calendar now. If you don’t, the future you end up with might not be the one you would have wanted.

When you’re anticipatory, you’re constantly on the lookout for new opportunities. What events and developments can you anticipate by using your inside-out thinking?

Daniel Burrus, CEO of Burrus Research. His latest book, The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change into Opportunity and Advantage. (https://burrusresearchinc. cmail19.com/t/y-l-khjuyud-ttudgdls-n/) careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

Zippy profile

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career feature

fast questions Stephanie Wium Your designation: Executive Personal Assistant Where are you employed? FSK Electronics SA (Pty) Ltd

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What is the most challenging task you have ever tackled as a PA?

Starting out as a PA was the most challenging THING I’ve ever done. Having come from a law enforcement background, then accidentally ending up in sales, suddenly responsible for (at the time) one C-Suite executive was frightening! I now manage the lives of 4 C-Suite executives and love what I do. Every day can be challenging; how you start out your day defines the way it is going to go. I don’t shy away from challenges, in fact they grow me as a person as well as the EPA I was hired to be.

2

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Google!! I believe Google is my friend. I will try and try and try until I get it right. However, I don’t believe everything I read on the internet – we all know some sources are not reliable! Asking is not above me, if I really don’t know what to do, I will ask. I have really great colleagues who can offer advice/direction.

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What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Why?

1o swift answers 6

What kind of music/song invigorates you? Which relaxes you?

Josh Groban’s “You raise me up” is my motivation. I prefer quiet to relax me. To this effect I don’t even switch my television on … EVER! I read a LOT

7

Where would you choose to go for a week’s sponsored vacation? Why?

I’m new to being a grandmother, so I would definitely want to go to New Zealand to visit with my grandchildren.

I am blessed with twin grandsons of 2½ as well as a granddaughter of 11 who came into my life 3 years ago.

They adore me, as I adore them. They keep me active and definitely on my toes. Not really a vacation as such, but any time away from the office is vacation, right?

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What is your favourite fragrance? Where does it take your mind?

I’m not a high maintenance kinda gal … but the fragrance I’m a creature of habit. I don’t mind change, but it must not is high maintenance! First by Van Cleef & Arples is my involve me directly. Resigning a job, when security is important to favourite. It takes me to far-away places, exotic places; me, leaving my home (in KZN) and moving to the unknown and makes me feel like a million dollars! in Joburg where I knew nobody except my sister and some close(ish) friends was scary! Life at the coast anie Wi If you could have any company is certainly a lot more laid-back than the rat-race um eph t perk, what would it be?

S that is Johannesburg. I fell in love with the Being at the office at stupid o’clock and place! I call it home now! Will I pull up roots starting work immediately makes me again? Yes … It’s not that scary anymore!

YEARN for a gym at the office! It would When the day gets rough, what do you be fabulous if I can go and do a circuit, do? Pray? Scream? Hide in the WC? have a shower and be ready to face Have endless cups of coffee? Cry? Write the day when the day is meant to start! on Facebook?

This does not mean I’m a gym bunny, This isn’t going to be a career limiting move is on the contrary, I enjoy my parkrun every it? Seriously, I take my Dictaphone earphones Saturday, but that’s my level of activity. and put on some music. Even if I listen to just A gym would be very nice though … can 2 minutes’ worth of Indie / Folk music I can face somebody let my company know this? whatever life throws at me.

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Which world figure (sportsperson/author/entertainer/ politician/celebrity) would you like to be a PA to? Why?

JK Rowling – author of the Harry Potter books. She was down on her luck in life as well as professionally. She couldn’t even afford to feed her baby. She had nothing, not even a computer to type out The Philosopher’s Stone. She was rejected countless times, but she persevered. Eventually the CEO of Bloomsbury gave the manuscript to his daughter who fell in love with it. She never gave up. THAT is the kind of person I want to be associated with. I won’t give up on my dreams because they don’t fit in your mould of me. I won’t give up on a challenge because you said I can’t do it! careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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In one sentence, why would the world collapse if there were no PAs?

Who would do the horrible jobs that nobody wants to do, that gets passed along to the PA, because she / he is always willing to help with whatever life throws at them?

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careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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Zippy profile

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fast questions Delayne Kirsten Your designation: Personal Assistant Where are you employed? Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

1

What is the most challenging task you have ever tackled as a PA? One of the most challenging tasks I was faced with was when I was given a leadership position to act in whilst a recruitment process was being completed. The Employee Health & Wellness (EHWP) Directorate’s team was tasked with reworking a project that had been rejected by Management based on lack of information and poor planning. For the project to be approved we needed the buy-in of the Executive Management Team (EMT) which included all Chief Directors, HOD and MEC of our Department. The team needed assistance with understanding certain work processes and planning.

Since I am studying Human Resource (HR) related subjects and working as the PA to the HR Director & Corporate Management Chief Director, my exposure in this field was a plus. Because my team and I worked together, kept an open communication system, and in unison, step by step the project planning, evaluation and implementation was approved by our EMT and the project was successful. Throughout this experience, I learnt that being a Leader/Manager is not always easy, however if you always keep your team motivated and informed, anything is possible.

2

What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Why? The most daring thing I have ever done was to attempt to go deep-sea-diving in the RED SEA with a trained instructor knowing that I cannot swim very well and that I have a fear of drowning. (sounds suicidal I know Let me just say currently I am now concentrating on overcoming that fear by going for swimming lessons. Small steps, one at a time!

When the day gets rough, what do you do? Pray? Scream?

Hide in the WC? Have endless cups of coffee? Cry? Write on Facebook?

Pray, Pray and Pray some more… careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

Which world figure (sports person/author/entertainer/ politician/celebrity) would you like to be a PA to?

Why? Oprah Winfrey. I would love to become the right hand-woman to one of the most powerful women in the world. I would enjoy being responsible for managing this amazing person’s business and personal life. I know I could support her and take care of her as the pressures would be super high, and the lows would be super low. Not just because of Oprah, because of everything else swirling around that level of power, money and fame.

6

What kind of music/song invigorates you? Which relaxes you?

Afro soul music. The afro soul genre tells true stories about our daily lives within our cultures and also embraces our heritage. I am proudly African.

7

Where would you choose to go for a week’s sponsored vacation? Why? Durban is the ultimate holiday destination because the weather is always good. The sunny weather, warm Indian Ocean, and warm Mozambique ocean current keeps Durban warmer than the rest nneeKKirikrswte y y of the country. Durban has the sea, the a a l oon eel D valleys, and the mountains.

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What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Let’s just put this out there from the start – you are going to make mistakes in your job. And it’s okay. As long as you know how to react to it.

The worst thing you can do, once you have made a mistake, is to make excuses for it.

Making excuses is a sign of weakness and gives the impression that you are unwilling to take responsibility for your actions. Instead, when you make a mistake, apologise, and make up for it by explaining what you have done (or what you plan to do) to fix the error.

1o swift answers

8

What is your favourite fragrance?

Where does it take your mind?

Estée Lauder Beautiful Love. For years Estée Lauder has marketed Beautiful, a classic floral, as their ‘wedding perfume’; the one to wear when walking down the aisle and into the arms of your one true love.

9

If you could have any company perk, what would it be?

Workouts for the Mind, Body, and Soul. Companies have been providing perks like gym reimbursements or even fitness centers for decades, but the new trend is about encouraging group workouts that exercise both the body and the soul.

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In one sentence, why would the world collapse if there were no PAs?

PAs are the gate keepers to an organization, constantly multi-tasking and playing a key role in supporting not only Management but colleagues as well.

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careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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Zippy profile

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fast questions Pepe Reddy Your designation: Executive Personal Assistant Where are you employed? Makoya Group

1

What is the most challenging task you have ever tackled as a PA? To manage a boss that did not understand the boundaries around managing a diary schedule. I would regularly wake up to find that all the work done together the previous night for the next few weeks of scheduling had been changed at 2am without any consultation to external parties relating to their availability etc.

2

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Ask questions to inform myself better from those around me and of course there is my friend ‘Google’ who I find myself turning to on a regular basis. I also reach out to my network of PAs that are always ever so willing to help, advise and provide feedback on their experiences.

3

D

When the day gets rough, what do you do? Pray? Scream?

Hide in the WC? Have endless cups of coffee? Cry? Write on Facebook?

None of the above. I tend to buckle down and focus more by internalising my stress to survive the day – then meet up with a few friends to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Which world figure (sports person/author/ entertainer/politician/celebrity) would you like to be a PA to? Why? Either of the Obamas, as I admire both of them and the way they have carried themselves since being in the limelight.

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

What kind of music/song invigorates you? Which relaxes you?

My music sense got stuck back in the 80’s – so anything from that era has a positive impact on my mood – especially R&B.

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Where would you choose to go for a week’s sponsored vacation? Why? I love the Island life when I want to take a break, so Bali has been my favourite spot visited so far – which I would not mind returning to. I also would not mind a visit to the bush here in SA - as we have some fabulous places right at home!

8

What is your favourite fragrance? Where does it take your mind?

I had never been captured by any fragrances out there until I came across Knowing by Estee Lauder, which I had initially received as a gift and fell in love with. It lifts my spirit.

e dyo eypne RKeirdkw a l P o e

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What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Why? I believe that one should try something at least once in life to know if you like it or not!... Most daring was parachuting – everything else since has been easier.

1o swift answers

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If you could have any company perk, what would it be?

As part of a wellness basket I would like to have a full body massage on a regular basis – I think it does me a world of good with relieving the stress experienced on a daily basis.

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In one sentence, why would the world collapse if there were no PAs? We are the glue!!!!

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careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

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Zippy profile

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fast questions Hema Kooverji Your designation: Personal Assistant/ Administrator to CFO Where are you employed? First National Bank Home loans

1

What is the most challenging task you have ever tackled as a PA? The most challenging task I faced as a PA was when I returned from maternity leave and had to balance between my work and personal life. At times, it felt difficult to juggle between being a mum and work life, however I got on top of it.

2

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

I usually go for a walk and get some fresh air and do a 5-minute breathing exercise. After this my mind is clearer, I can weigh my options and focus much better. Should I then still feel uncertain, I will ask some guidance from my mum should it be a personal matter or a trusted colleague/manager if it's about work.

3

What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Why? I would not describe “daring” as one of my personality traits, however I must admit since I met my husband, who is very daring, we have had a lot of adventurous and spontaneous moments on our family holidays - from walks in the rain through unknown paths to ice cream on cold days by the fireplace. He has taught me that life is also about having fun and remembering your inner child and sometimes taking risks too.

4

When the day gets rough, what do you do?

Pray? Scream? Hide in the WC? Have endless cups of coffee? Cry? Write on Facebook?

I find a quiet place, usually away from technology and somewhere where I can breathe in fresh air in nature and just gaze at the sky or birds. I process my emotions; slowly release the stress I feel through sitting still and reflecting on what caused the negative feelings. Once I have accepted and acknowledged the source of what made me feel that the day is rough, I say a little prayer and identify what I have learnt from that moment and how I can better handle it in the future.

Louise Hay, author of “Heal Your Life” and many other self-help books. The reasons are her visualisations, affirmations add so must insight into our life and she seemed to have an amazing thought processing pattern in the hardest of times of her health.

As Louise Hay would write “Be willing to take the first step, no matter how small it is. Concentrate on the fact that you are willing to learn. Absolute miracles will happen.” As well as “The point of power is always in the present moment.”

6

What kind of music/song invigorates you? Which relaxes you?

7

Where would you choose to go for a week’s sponsored vacation? Why?

Bollywood tunes and my little boy’s nursery rhymes and tunes from kid’s movies, especially “Hakunna Matta” from the Lion King invigorates me all the way. Soft instrumental music of ocean life and nature is what relaxes me and my mind.

Definitively Mauritius, without a doubt. The little island is like paradise and features assets such as long white sand beaches, exotic cuisine and child friendly accommodation and activities, providing us a time to just relax, rejuvenate and refresh from our everyday busy lives.

ma Kooverj i He

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Which world figure (sports person/author/ entertainer/politician/celebrity) would you like to be a PA to? Why? There are two. Maria Montessori, the Italian physician, educator and innovator as well as author. The reason being her personality and patience in understanding and working with disabled kids and identifying various tools and methods to help them read and write amazes me. Her humble nature and perseverance are qualities I continuously aim to master when guiding others to be appreciative and not take life for granted. careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

1o swift answers

8

What is your favourite fragrance?

Where does it take your mind?

Lady Millionaire from Cosmo which takes my mind to when my husband gifted it to me and up to now makes me feel like a millionaire with his love, care and unique nature. Hugo Boss, which reminds me of my matric year where mum and dad always guided me in challenges and up to today stand by my side in support.

9

If you could have any company perk, what would it be?

Being able to work mobile/remotely. This would allow me to be more productive without much disturbance on certain days, as well as allow me the freedom to enjoy the opportunity to attend my child’s school events without feeling that I have to ask for time out to enjoy those once in a lifetime precious moments.

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In one sentence, why would the world collapse if there were no PAs?

PAs are the heart and foundation of any organisation, enabling effective functionality and adaptation to change.

Your cruising and teambuilding Specialists www.hartiesboatco.co.za

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interview

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

Q&A

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Coaching Andrea Waltz

Q

class

Although I respect other people’s right to say ‘no’ I still struggle on how to handle it when it comes my way. I really need advice on how to conquer my fear as sometimes the ‘no’ I get seriously affects work I am busy on for my boss.

Answer: Turn 'No!' into a powerful positive

yourself, “Great, I am one step closer to 'yes!'

At first it’s going to feel strange. You might even feel like you’re lying to yourself. But eventually, you will find that the word 'no' has lost some of its negative power over your emotions.

W

hat if, starting today, the word 'no”' didn’t stop you? What if every time you heard the word no, you became stronger, more powerful, and more resilient? Well, you can.

The reality is, most of us don’t like to hear 'no'. We suffer through it. If, when you are working your business and you feel wonderful when you get a 'yes,' and you feel bad when you get a 'no,' then you are going to feel bad pretty often.

The next thing I want to suggest is that you start balancing out your emotional reaction to both 'yes 'and 'no'. Remember how we typically feel great when we get a yes and sometimes go overboard?

We are literally putting ourselves on an emotional roller coaster with the ‘yesses’ and the ‘nos’.

When you get a 'yes', say to yourself, “Great!” but without great fanfare. And when you get a 'no', say, “Great! The next one may be a 'yes'. I know the ‘nos’ can be turned into a qualified ‘yes’, so I’ll keep going."

So the question is: How do you start feeling good about hearing 'no'? It really is possible.

Andrea Waltz is the coauthor of Go for No! a short, inspirational fable that will transform how you think about failure, rejection and the word no. For more great free information on learning how to turn no from an obstacle into one of your greatest assets, visit: goforno.com.

Here’s an exercise to try: Starting tomorrow, every time someone tells you 'no,' immediately say to

http://www.sfwmag.com/career/turn-no-into-a-powerfulpositive/index.html#

At our workplaces and in business – especially today – the ‘nos’ are out there! And if you allow yourself to feel bad about the ‘nos’ you get, you might slow down, get discouraged, avoid task... you might even quit altogether.

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interview: Getting to know...

Jeana Turner CareerSuccess takes time for a one-onone chat with Jeana Turner.

Members of PAFSA who attend its Social Club events have come to know her as a regular supporter of PAFSA. Let's get to know Jeana personally…

J

Jeana, you have become our most well-known ambassador for Avianto! What keeps this passion fuelled?

It’s really simple: I love people and being able to connect with others.

I love learning about them and listening to their stories, the things that make people who they are. Getting to know them, their hopes and dreams. Learning about their goals and what makes them tick. It's people who fuel my passion.

Besides your job, what keeps your adrenalin going?

Family drives me! I love spending time and connecting with my family and my friends. The responsibility of being a single working mom also keeps the adrenalin flowing!

It helps that I am by nature quite a driven person and value goals. I spend time feeding my belief and each day I set this goal for myself, and take the moments in between to reinforce that inner belief, to remind myself that “I can do this, no matter what.”.

Who do you enjoy hanging out with?

My son, Jordan, without a doubt. This amazing soul makes me laugh all the time, and we get to have the most interesting conversations where I learn all sorts of weird and wise facts. He loves TEDTalks, and we get to have endless moments of shared wisdom about topics that reach far and wide. He is very funny, and makes me laugh – definitely my favourite person in the world!

What does ‘friend’ mean to you?

Friend is a treasured word and represents stability, acceptance, going the extra mile, and of course, fun. There is something precious about connecting with someone else on a deep level, where you can just be yourself, simply accept someone else for who they are and share in life’s experiences, good or bad. ‘Friend’ means love.

What would a great dinner-party mean to you?

It’s less dinner party and more about the company you keep. A great dinner party is sitting

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

35 around the kitchen table sharing a glass of wine or three and chatting about life. It boils down to connecting with others, and this creates an incredible sense of belonging and perspective. I love sharing, learning, and laughing. No dinner party is complete without these special ingredients.

and it's not a once-off impact but a continuous journey of acceptance. I often catch myself yearning for the old me; the one that could cycle 250kms on a weekend, but then I have to stop, let go, and do my best to love the me I am today.

What type of music inspires you?

Who has been an invaluable mentor?

My Mom - mom’s kitchen. She is the most incredible mentor who impacts on my life at home, as well as in my work. She has this incredible “just right” attitude that reminds me to love and to forgive. She leads by example and inspires me to always be a better person.

Much of today’s music focuses on loss, longing, or riches.

I choose music that feeds my soul with encouragement, and reminds me that there is always hope. I love listening to gospel in a variety of forms, as well as a bit of uplifting country. My music helps reinforce my inner goals and beliefs.

What life circumstance/event has had the most impact on you?

The event that truly impacted my life the most would be surviving cancer. Surviving cancer means learning to live a different life and taking on new habits and making new choices. It means letting go of some of the activities I really used to love and filling my life with new passions. I have had to learn to accept that this is the new me, my new life,

If you could do one thing to change the world what would that be?

At first, the answer is simple: Remove poverty and racism. Then I realise it's more about a desire to remove the things that divide us. If I could change one thing in the world, it would be to reunite people with their love from deep within their souls - their original truth - and to live only through the purity of this love.

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36

speaker interview

After recently listening to a keynote delivered by Life Coach and Speaker Lizette Volkwyn at a PAFSA event, CareerSuccess decided that more insights from her would be useful to all of us.

We decided to interview her in an unusual way…

On her Facebook page we noticed that she posts very particular inspirational quotes. So instead of traditional interview questions, we are going to explore her views around these carefully chosen

Lizette Volkwyn is a Master Life Coach, a highly inspirational speaker, Human Lie Detector and author of “Finding Me, a Self-Discovery Adventure”.

More info on +27 (0)72 431 2023, lizette@lizettevolkwyn.com, www.lizettevolkwyn.com

quotes...

CS: When you chose to post this quote below what did

CS: We saw the videos you showed during your keynote

you have in mind?

at the PAFSA event and they touch on the piece of advice

"You can’t skip chapters that’s not how life

works. You have to read every line meet every character. You won’t enjoy all of it.

Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks.You will read things you don’t want to read, you will have moments when you don’t want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don’t miss out."

Courtney Peppernell

quoted below. Please share why this is such a profound part of life…

“A certain darkness is

needed to see the stars.” Osho

LV: For me the videos I show during my keynotes have to be thought provoking...as NLP Practitioner we know to get a lasting impression we need to touch all the emotion visual auditory kinesthetic taste, smell etc..

The message in those videos are clear: The first video https://

LV: When we go through life we sometimes tend to want to

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2uLzY2e1Bo

speed up phases we are going through, fast forward and miss

exact name and age become irrelevant in establishing who

important steps of growth.

you are, your identity is not made of those factors! It’s made

But when we take time to properly celebrate or to mourn,

shows how your

up of your values and your dreams!

or even just be aware of our emotions, we learn and get to

The second video shows how the will to fight and achieve

understand more about ourselves. Our growth becomes more

your goals is the most powerful force on earth. Go to

evident in the way we live, and it becomes easier to ignite the

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNEzwS7hGKg. It also shows

Self-Confidence and Power within to share with the world

the importance of having one’s own 'fight song',

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

37 My message is that we need to get to appreciate ourselves

we will naturally evolve into a new version of self, and open the

so much more...when we are whole we can live our life to the

way for our purpose and our dreams. The process of change

fullest...

INEVITABLY stretches us and demands nothing less than

Although it’s important to admire others we do not need to

who we are authentically, and this is what makes for maturity.

put them on a pedestal at the cost of our self-worth! We

CS: I agree with below statement. You obviously chose

need to hear our inner-child and not silence the voice of our

this quote to focus on an important message…

own emotional wealth. It is high time that we embrace and understand our own power and value, especially as we go into 2019.

CS: Below is a truly extraordinary quote to choose to post on your FB page. This surely will ruffle some feathers!

What is the reason behind this?

Don’t be beautiful

"They keep saying that beautiful

is something a girl needs to be. But honestly? Forget that. Don’t be beautiful. Be angry, be intelligent, be witty, be klutzy, be interesting, be funny, be adventurous, be crazy, be talented - there are an eternity of other things to be other than beautiful."

“A

head full of fears has no place for dreams.”

LV: Fear is a perception, A visceral reaction to something that we not fully understand. When we change our perception so does the fear component.

When we feel ‘fear’ our mind closes up to the unknown and we hold on to comfort, and to what we understand. Feeding the emotion ‘fear’ is giving ourselves permission to live on excuses instead of getting to get to grips with the what and the why and the how – to understand the ‘unknown’ and start taking responsible action.

Our expressions of gratitude and of hope are the biggest tools to conquer fear. Gratitude and Hope generate new thoughts, pushing our boundaries and believing in something that is yet to happen.

LV: "Beauty" is created by perceived copy cats....I am a firm

We need to dream …we need to have goals that take us out

believer that True Beauty reveals itself only when we own who

of where we are to a new destination…being in touch with our

we are. When we are true to our own feelings and experiences.

soul purpose.

Our power and confidence lies within us being OURSELVES and not a copycat version of what someone needs us to be....

When we are who we are, anger frustration sadness etc.

CS: The quote below from your FB page really makes one stop, and cry out ‘ouch’! I leave it to you to tell more.

dissolves and Self-Acceptance guides us to be real and share our love from within. Loving ourselves honestly and

"Life is the most difficult

appropriately in order to love others honestly and appropriately.

EXAM.

CS: In your opinion how do we best make the message in

Life is the most difficult exam, many people fail because they try to copy others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper."

below quote happen?

“Every

next level of your life demands a different you”

LV: There is just simplicity in this wisdom...but human beings love complexity!

Truth be told, we need to create our own! Our purpose and our dreams are unique and different from anyone else... we experience and live life differently to others. The moment we grasp this thought we realise that we can create coping mechanisms, action plans (etc. ) differently ensuring that we

If we grow every day....and allow our personal changes to

can handle whatever life throws at us the way we feel okay

take place, and allow our emotions to flow, we will always be

with it...When we accept this, we are in touch with our life and

ready for our next level of life.

its mission.

When we understand that change is ABSOLUTELY inevitable,

“My Exam My Design My Life My Purpose My Success” careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018

38

last page

Test your

Wits and have Fun Just for laughs 1. How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn't bounce off anything?

There is nothing attached to it, and no one else catches or throws it back

to you.

2. I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old. What am I? 3. You can drop me from the tallest building and I'll be fine, but if you drop me in water I die. What am I? 4. There was a green house. Inside the green house there was a white house. Inside the white house there was a red house. Inside the red house there were lots of babies.

What is it?

5. What kind of tree can you carry in your hand?

6. Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

7. What gets broken without being held?

1. Throw the ball straight up in the air. 2. A candle. 3. Paper.

4. Watermelon. 5. A palm.

6. Incorrectly. 7. A promise.

ANSWERS

careersuccess magazine issue 3 2018