Church Secretary Essentials - A Day In The Life... Blog

My 1st (and probably last) trip to Vegas!

2009-07-28T03:30:00.016-05:00

So I went to Vegas for the first time and of course I took my Flip and recorded some of it. This is purely for entertainment value and there is no lesson...

Well, if I had to come up with a lesson for you fellow Church Secretaries out there, it would be this:

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Enjoy it!!! There ain't no "do-overs" and we ain't practicing. (Yes I said ain't...TWICE.) Don't be so busy with ministry that you miss life's simple pleasures.

Yep... that's my lesson.

Enjoy this really STUPID video :).

Oh, and take a minute to comment below the video and let me know what makes you happy. What's your ideal day? How do you unwind and get away from ministry?

I know it might not happen often, but try to make it happen more.

Your pastor, family or friends won't get the best you if you don't take care of yourself.

Make taking care of you a priority!

As always, I love hearing from you! So don't be shy :).

God Bless You,
Tamala

If you have trouble viewing the movie below go to the direct link at
http://www.churchsecretaryessentials.com/VegasVid5/VegasVid5.html

Don't Forget To Scroll Down And Post Your Comments

**********************************************************
Discover How To Take Back Control Of Your Time, Get
Organized, Eliminate Office Clutter And Get More Done!
~ http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/bt101 ~

Get Instant Access to My Private Briefcase!
Free Reports, PowerPoint, MP3s and More
~ http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/5secrets ~
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Pursuing Purpose. Fulfilling Destiny. CALLED TO ASSIST.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will
take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on
them. They will help you carry the burden of the people
so that you will not have to carry it alone.
[Numbers 11:17, NIV]

Church Secretary - 7 Commandments to Bulletins That Pop!

2008-12-17T21:24:00.000-06:00

Here's a short and sweet video that will help you keep your church publications sizzling... not to mention, keep members reading them!

Don't Forget To Scroll Down And Post Your Comments

Church Secretary Training - Secret Technology to Boost Productivity

2008-12-08T12:21:00.012-06:00

If you don't watch this video, you WILL regret it... and I'm not just talking smack :)...

Don't Forget To Scroll Down And Post Your Comments

**********************************************************
Discover How To Take Back Control Of Your Time, Get
Organized, Eliminate Office Clutter And Get More Done!
~ http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/bt101 ~
**********************************************************

Pursuing Purpose. Fulfilling Destiny. CALLED TO ASSIST.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will
take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on
them. They will help you carry the burden of the people
so that you will not have to carry it alone.
[Numbers 11:17, NIV]

http://www.ChurchSecretaryTraining.com

My Wackiest Video Ever (but there is a point)!

2008-09-11T01:31:00.012-05:00

This is the wackiest one yet!

Yep... it’s C-R-A-Z-Y!

And don’t worry, watching it can still be considered
W-O-R-K (goofy grin).

Don’t be too shocked. I do like to have fun.

And I AM quite silly.

(Hurry up and watch it before I get too embarrassed
and take it down.)

Anyway - there really is an important point that is
made, even in the midst of all the random madness so
just check it out

**********************************************
I’ve been super busy working on the Confessions
of a Church Secretary Secrets to Success Blueprint,
coming September 16, 2008 and maybe that’s why
my brain "appears" to be a little fried...
**********************************************

I had to make this one short and sweet, but I did throw
in an important lesson... so don’t judge me. :-)

If you have trouble viewing the movie below go to the direct link at
http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/WackiestVideo/WackiestVideo.html

Don't Forget To Scroll Down And Post Your Comments

Video #2 - good news + your questions answered

2008-08-28T11:28:00.006-05:00

Check out the 2nd video in our series!

In the video, you'll find the answers to questions like:

- How do I start an online newsletter?

- How do you get people to conduct church business like you would corporate business?

- How do you find balance when constantly asked to work on Sundays?

- How do I improve my spelling and grammar?

- How do you win the battle for your compensation

- How do I get over this feeling of being burned out?

If you have trouble viewing the movie below go to the direct link at
http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/RoleVid2/RoleVid2.html

NEW VIDEO - Keys to Understanding Your Role

2008-08-14T06:24:00.016-05:00

Check out the new video below!

In the video, you'll find the answers to questions like:

- Where does your job fit and why is it important for the
success of your church?

- How does your disposition and attitude affect your pastor?

- What's the easiest most effective way to handle the many
aspects of this job?

- How do I deal with people who think I do nothing but answer
the phone and take messages all day?

- How do you get into your leader's head?

- How do you define the role of a church secretary and what
would her duties be?

- How do I keep the right perspective when I'm blamed for
things that don't work out as expected?

- What can I do to help the people I delegate responsibility to,
follow through and be thorough?

If you have trouble viewing the movie below go to the direct link at
http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com/RoleVid1a/RoleVid1a.html

Can You Go The Distance?

2008-05-11T23:09:00.002-05:00

Our jobs can be hectic. So many people depend on us. Everybody thinks we know EVERYTHING... and in most cases, we HAVE TO know everything.

Hebrews 10:35 tells us not to get weary in well doing because in due season we will reap if we don't faint.

I have to be honest... there have been times when I have wanted to faint... to walk out and say forget it. I was tired of my phone ringing. I love people, but I'm not really a "people" person by nature... I am ok with being a "loner" so to speak. And there are times when I feel like I am on "people overload."

It's during these times that having the ability to focus on our assignments or calling in ministry is key.

It is during these times that we have to be able to go the distance.

Be Content In Your Assignment
This is important if you are going to be successful in your career calling. Whether you feel like God "called" you to ministry or not, it is important that you are settled on the fact that you are not where you are by mistake. When you settle this, you will not be distracted by things that don't matter. Things that can contaminate your commitment and your focus.

Don't Get Trapped By Offense
This is a big one. Sometimes the job we have can be a thankless one. It seems as if we work and work and nobody says thank you or appreciates what we do. And they always want more! The Bible encourages us to work as unto God and not man. This is so important. It's only natural to want appreciation from your Pastor and those you work hard for. And you should be appreciated, however if no one ever says thank you, you must remember that God sees your work and He is faithful to reward you.

The "opportunities" to be offended are numerous... don't take the bait. It will only cause you to become unhappy in your job... mole hills will become mountains. Your heart will become contaminated and you will become less and less effective in your calling.

Don't Become Too Common
When we build relationships with people and become comfortable with them, we begin to see one another's flaws. It is only natural to become close to our Pastors as we work for them and with them so closely. In so doing, we tend to see their flaws. It's hard not to notice if they have a tendency for disorganization or procrastination or maybe not handling some situations as we think they should. It's hard not to form our own opinions and "secret" assessments. Yet and still, in the midst of it all, there is a line that can't be crossed. Pastor is always Pastor. His/her word is the final word. Having this understanding will keep your heart from "turning" when things don't go your way.

Remember Your Purpose
Remember that your purpose for being where you are is to assist your Pastor in getting the Gospel to the world. Bottom line, your job is to make his/her job easier. At the end of the day, this is what matters. As long as you are doing this, you are fulfilling your purpose as your Pastor's assistant. And that's what's important.

This is what going the distance is all about. In ministry, there are not many people who are truly willing to do what it takes to go the distance. Remember, your labor is not in vain. God is faithful. He sees your heart and your sacrifice of service (the times when you barely have time to take care of your business for taking care of ministry business). He won't ever let it go unrewarded.

©2008 Church Secretary Essentials / Pensational Print Media Group

NOTE: You're welcome to use or "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete, unaltered and includes this blurb with it: Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary manual, "Basic Training 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting More Done, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

The Art of Effective Communication - Part 2

2008-05-11T23:05:00.001-05:00

This week we continue in our 2-part series on the art of effective communication. We'll cover the remaining seven suggestions for effective commuincations.

First, though, here is something to consider when communicating to a group of people. You can use comparisons to ensure that everyone understands. Jesus was the Master of parables. Follow His example to get your point across. You can also restate your important ideas in different words or use illustrations and specific instances of something similar to what you are trying to convey. Remember, your goal is to be understood and not just heard.

Now, here are my remaining 7 suggestions for effective communication:

Respond in an interested way that shows you understand what is being said
Ask others for their views or suggestions
State your position clearly and be specific
Communicate your feelings but don't act them out (attack the problems, not the people
Be as descriptive as possible
Don't totally control conversations, acknowledge what others are saying, and don't interrupt them
Decide on specific follow-up actions with specific due dates and make sure all parties agree

In our career we may spend over 75% of our time talking to and dealing with people. It is no surprise to find that at the root of a large number of our challenges is poor communication. Effective communication is an essential component of our success.

It is no longer acceptable to hide behind our deficiencies. Learning to communicate well with others is critical if we are to be successful in getting our jobs done in excellence. As distasteful as it may be, it is necessary.

Remember, small changes produce great results. Focus on becoming better one step at a time.

©2008 Church Secretary Essentials / Pensational Print Media Group

NOTE: You're welcome to use or "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete, unaltered and includes this blurb with it: Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary manual, "Basic Training 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting More Done, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

The Art of Effective Communication - Part 1

2008-05-11T23:01:00.002-05:00

One key to effective communication is making your expectations clear. This sounds simple, but it gets overlooked so many times.

Possibly, the reason you got result B rather than result C from Bro. Jones was because you did not make what you expected of him clear...to him. For example, "Call Mr. Palmer and get his travel requirements" is not as clear as "Call Mr. Palmer and get his travel requirements. And please do this before next Tuesday." This makes the difference between whether you get your information next week or in 2 weeks. It saves you having to call Bro. Jones on next Tuesday asking for your travel information and hearing him say "I didn't know you wanted it by today." And you save yourself from the "I should have done it myself" trap.

If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that communication is not just you talking. What I mean is that if the person you are talking to does not grasp what you are saying, you have not really communicated your point. The goal of communication should be mutual understanding and not just to spout out a bunch of information.

When communicating with volunteers, co-workers, or vendors you should confirm everything. According to Mike Murdock, you should be wary of people who never carry paper and a pen or never make the attempt to get paper and a pen when communicating with you because they trust and rely on their memory and they want you to do the same.

You should also be wary of people who don't ask additional questions about an assignment or instruction because few instructions are complete at the beginning. When people don't ask additional questions about an assignment, they are not giving any thought to it. Lastly, avoid people who always reply to your requests with "I will try to get to it" because they will never get to it.

If you are this person, get yourself together quick. When given an assignment you should be asking questions like "Is there a deadline?" or "When do you need to have this budget completed by?" or "Is there anything else I should know about this project?"

Skill in communication involves a number of specific strengths. Strength in listening is vitally important. The following list provides some suggestions for effective communication:

Give your full attention and fight distractions
Listen openly, with empathy for others
Ask, repeat or rephrase what is being said to make sure you fully understand
Judge the content, not the messenger
Pay attention to non-verbal cues and body language
Ask the other person for as much detail as she can provide

This was an excerpt from chapter 4 of my Basic Training 101 manual. We'll continue this topic next week and I'll give you the remaining 7 suggestions for effective communication.

©2008 Church Secretary Essentials / Pensational Print Media Group

NOTE: You're welcome to use or "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete, unaltered and includes this blurb with it: Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary manual, "Basic Training 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting More Done, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

5 Step Formula for Getting Projects Done

2008-05-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

Every day there seem to be 100 things that need to be done all at the same time. With so many people needing to be touched with the love of God in our world today, our churches are always busy with various projects... whether outreach to the community, special events for members, children's services... (the list can go on and on).

Our pastors are always in need of our encouragement, support and, probably more importantly, our commitment to getting our jobs done with excellence.

With so many projects going at the same time, getting a handle on them can be difficult. Here's my 5 step formula for getting projects done.

1. Begin with the end in mind
Begin each project with the end in mind. Picturing what you want your end result to be will help you create a clear cut action-plan for completing the project.

2. Set project goals and milestones with deadlines
Every project should have goals. Some are large, while others will be small. Each goal or milestone should include a deadline for completion. For example, if you are planning an outreach concert, one of your major goals would be to secure your venue... and you definitely need a deadlien for that.

3. Write everything down
Don't forget the importance of writing everything down. Trying to do things by memory is a recipe for disaster. There will be something that you won't remember. For every project I start I use an extensive checklist (a sample of the checklist I use when working on our yearly youth conference is inlcuded with my Basic Training 101 book and my Basic Forms Pak).

4. Organize and de-clutter
This is pretty self explanatory. When my office is organized, it just seems to lower my stress levels. I don't feel so "wound up" all the time. One thing that I use to keep my projects organized is a simple 2" binder. I call it my 2008 Proejcts Binder. It is divided into sections with tabs and my sections inlcude Items to Do Today, Women's Conferencd 2008, Letters Needing Response, New Speaking Requests, plus a few others. This helps me keep all of my current projects completely organized.

5. Have periodic check-ups
Every so often, depending on the scale of the project, you should evaluate your progress. If you are keeping a to-do list, this will be much easier. Scheduling weekly or bi-weekly planning meetings will help you and even your co-workers stay on target with your projects as well.

©2008 Church Secretary Essentials / Pensational Print Media Group

NOTE: You're welcome to use or "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete, unaltered and includes this blurb with it: Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary manual, "Basic Training 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting More Done, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

Are You Just Busy?

2008-05-11T22:43:00.002-05:00

There are days when I go home thinking, what did I accomplish today? This person came in asking for this and that person called wanting me to drop everything and help them do something else.By the end of the day, my to-do list is longer than it was when I started!Does this sound familiar?

I have a theory. Most of the time, we are just being busy... we are not accomplishing the really big things that we set out to do at the start of our day. This happens for many reasons. It's so easy to get distracted. And what happens is that we end up missing deadlines or feeling overwhelming pressure to finish something at the last minute.

I have a vaccine for the busy-but-not-productive bug...

Single Handle Every Task
This means that when you are working on updating the membership database, don't get distracted by incoming email, phone calls, or chatty co-workers. I recently read that when you concentrate on one task, single-mindedly, without distraction, you can get the job done 50% faster! And that starting and stopping a task can increase the time it takes you to finish it by 500%. Enough said.

Avoidance Doesn't Pay Off
Avoiding big or what we may consider hard tasks doesn't make them go away. I actually think it makes it harder for you to concentrate on what you are doing in its place. Instead of being able to focus your attention completely on the substitute task, you keep thinking about what you have to do to finish the "big one" and your productivity actually decreases. On the flip side, starting and finishing the big task will psychologically strengthen your resolve to get tackle the rest of your tasks.

Move Past Your Mistakes

When you make a mistake... and we all do... don't beat yourself up about it. Accept responsibility for the outcome. Figure out what went wrong. Create a system to make sure it doesn't happen again. It's that simple.

Don't be fooled by busyness. It is not the same as being productive. If you have the same tasks on your to-do list for weeks at a time and it's not because of someone else, you are too busy and can probably use a boost of productivity.

©2008 Church Secretary Essentials / Pensational Print Media Group

NOTE: You're welcome to use or "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete, unaltered and includes this blurb with it: Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary manual, "Basic Training 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting More Done, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

CSE Newsletter: March 31, 2008 - Are You Just Busy?

2008-04-02T12:14:00.006-05:00

Called To Assist

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone. [Numbers 11:17, NIV]

Feel free to pass this ezine on to your friends and colleagues...

<< Subscribe to this Ezine >> << View Previous Issue >>

NOTE FROM TAMALA

Hey there!

I intended to send this to you yesterday, but my website hosting company shut down for a big move and we were out of commission for 48 hours. I thought I was going to go bonkers without my email!

As I sit down at my computer to write, it is about 12:30 a.m. and I've just gotten home from my "other job" (it's conference time), but writing for you is like therapy for me (smile... sleepy smile).

**What I Hate About Exercise**

I have started (again) watching what I eat and exercising. For sure I'm not gonna want to wake up in the morning and hit the treadmill. I just downloaded season one of Samantha Who? to my iPod so maybe that will help motivate me. I hate that it takes so long to build up your endurance when exercising and one week of lounging around seems to take you back to ground zero (grimace)! Don't you?

**Are You Just Busy?**

With all of the tasks that you have to complete each day ask yourself if you are really being efficient or just busy. There is a difference. Check out the feature article below and see where you stand.

Honored to Serve You,

Tamala M. Huntley, Executive Assistant
Author of Basic Training Module 101: Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter, & Producing More With Less Stress

FEATURE ARTICLE

Are You Just Busy?
by Tamala Huntley

I have a theory. Most of the time, we are just being busy... we are not accomplishing the really big things that we set out to do at the start of our day. This happens for many reasons. It's so easy to get distracted. And what happens is that we end up missing deadlines or feeling overwhelming pressure to finish something at the last minute.

I have a vaccine for the busy-but-not-productive bug...

Single Handle Every Task

This means that when you are working on updating the membership database, don't get distracted by incoming email, phone calls, or chatty co-workers. I recently read that when you concentrate on one task, single-mindedly, without distraction, you can get the job done 50% faster! And that starting and stopping a task can increase the time it takes you to finish it by 500%. Enough said.

Avoidance Doesn't Pay Off

Avoiding big or what we may consider hard tasks doesn't make them go away. I actually think it makes it harder for you to concentrate on what you are doing in its place. Instead of being able to focus your attention completely on the substitute task, you keep thinking about what you have to do to finish the "big one" and your productivity actually decreases. On the flip side, starting and finishing the big task will psychologically strengthen your resolve to get tackle the rest of your tasks.

Move Past Your Mistakes

When you make a mistake... and we all do... don't beat yourself up about it. Accept responsibility for the outcome. Figure out what went wrong. Create a system to make sure it doesn't happen again. It's that simple.

Don't be fooled by busyness. It is not the same as being productive. If you have the same tasks on your to-do list for weeks at a time and it's not because of someone else, you are too busy and can probably use a boost of productivity.

ABOUT TAMALA

Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," is the author of the revolutionary book, Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress.

If you liked today's ezine, you'll ABSOLUTELY LOVE this simple, easy-to-read book. If you implement the principles you learn, you are guraranteed to see a turnaround in your life and work in just 1 week. It is the most practical and enjoyable guide to being an effective church secretary, executive assistant or administrative assistant available and QUICKLY produces TANGIBLE RESULTS.

Browse the Table of Contents and read an excerpt now at www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com

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The CSE Basic Forms Pak: Have you ever gotten overwhelmed with the volume of tasks that you have to complete for your church on a daily basis? Have you ever gotten "chewed out" because you forgot to do something important?

Well, here is an easy solution to your dilemma. The Basic Forms Pak will help you plan your events, prepare for guests that come to your church, ensure that your Pastor is taken care of when he or she travels and more!

The forms are simple... this is not rocket-science. You won't be wracking your brain trying to figure out how to use them. Includes event planning toolkit, sample guest information form, sample travel agreement and bonus 25 sample ministry letters. more info...>>

discipline is not a dirty word...

2008-02-26T10:14:00.004-06:00

I subscribe to many self-help newsletters... topics range from time management to entrepreneurship. One person that I have been following for several years is Brian Tracy.

He is a personal development genius. He has written several books, speaks to thousands, maybe millions, of people across the world.

In the last letter I received, he talks about the importance and the practice of discipline. No, it's not a dirty word (grin).

Read the article below and I guarantee it'll change your life and career.

****************************************************************

The Practice of Discipline
By: Brian Tracy

Discipline yourself to do what you know you need to do to be the very best in your field. Perhaps the best definition of self discipline is this: "Self discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not."

It is easy to do something when you feel like it. It's when you don't feel like it and you force yourself to do it anyway that you move your life and career onto the fast track.

What decisions do you need to make today in order to start moving toward the top of your field? Whatever it is, either to get in or get out, make a decision today and then get started. This single act alone can change the whole direction of your life.

Seven Steps to Success
======================
There is a powerful seven step formula that you can use to set and achieve your goals for the rest of your life. Every single successful person uses this formula or some variation of this formula to achieve vastly more than the average person. And so can you. Here it is:

Decide What You Want
====================
Step number one, decide exactly what it is you want in each part of your life. Become a "meaningful specific" rather than a "wandering generality."

"Accomplish More in a Month Than Most People Accomplish in a Year"

Your ability to discipline yourself "to do what you should, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not," is the key to becoming a great person and living a great life.

When you develop the habits of self-discipline, you will accomplish more in a month than most people accomplish in a year.

Write it Down
=============
Second, write it down, clearly and in detail. Always think on paper. A goal that is not in writing is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish and it has no energy behind it.

Set A Deadline
==============
Third, set a deadline for your goal. A deadline acts as a "forcing system" in your subconscious mind. It motivates you to do the things necessary to make your goal come true. If it is a big enough goal, set sub-deadlines as well. Don't leave this to chance.

Make A List
===========
Fourth, make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. When you think of new tasks and activities, write them on your list until your list is complete.

Organize Your List
==================
Fifth, organize your list into a plan. Decide what you will have to do first and what you will have to do second. Decide what is more important and what is less important. And then write out your plan on paper, the same way you would develop a blueprint to build your dream house.

Take Action
===========
The sixth step is for you to take action on your plan. Do something. Do anything. But get busy. Get going.

Do Something Every Day
======================
Do something every single day that moves you in the direction of your most important goal at the moment. Develop the discipline of doing something 365 days each year that is moving you forward. You will be absolutely astonished at how much you accomplish when you utilize this formula in your life every single day.

Action Exercises
================
Here are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately.

First, decide exactly what you want, write it down with a deadline, make a plan and take action - on at least one goal - today!

Second, determine the price you will have to pay to achieve this goal and then get busy paying that price - whatever it is.

CSE Newsletter: Feb. 08 - Nobody's Gonna Do It For You

2008-01-20T03:49:00.001-06:00

- FEATURE ARTICLE: Nobody's Gonna Do It For You << Subscribe to this Ezine >> << View Previous Issue >>	Called To Assist I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone. [Numbers 11:17, NIV]
SPECIAL NOTE FROM TAMALA
Hey there! I can't believe we are already into February!!! Time seems to go so fast it's crazy. I hope you had great holidays and all that jazz. With the new year comes new W-O-R-K... but, it's all good because you can handle it. If you're overwhelmed and haven't gotten organized yet for the new year, you should check out some of my previous blog posts and the Articles Archive. Hanging Out With The Children I'm going on a retreat with our church teenagers this weekend. So pray for me (smile)! This is our second year and the kids have been extremely blessed by it... to the amazement of even their parents! Nobody's Gonna Do It For You When it comes to having drive and tenacity in getting things done, some things can't be taught and nobody will do it for you. Check out the feature article below and learn what you can do to accomplish more without boundaries. Honored to Serve You, Tamala M. Huntley, Executive Assistant Author of Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter, & Producing More With Less Stress
ABOUT TAMALA
Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," the author of the revolutionary book, Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress. If you liked today's ezine, you'll ABSOLUTELY LOVE this simple, easy-to-read book. If you implement the principles you learn, you are guraranteed to see a turnaround in your life and work in just 1 week. It is the most practical and enjoyable guide to being an effective church secretary, executive assistant or administrative assistant available and QUICKLY produces TANGIBLE RESULTS. Browse the Table of Contents now at www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com
FEATURE ARTICLE
Nobody's Gonna Do It For You by Tamala Huntley In today's society, it's often hard to find people with what I call the "get-up-and-get-it-ness" factor. Think about all of the people you deal with on a daily basis and count how many of them actually follow through on what they tell you, complete projects entirely, or even just make effort to do things with attention to detail and excellence. You can probably count them on one hand! When it comes to your work, you can't be one of these people. Nobody is going to do your work for you. If you don't take the time to take a class, read a book, watch a video... get the training you need to become better, I repeat... nobody is gonna do it for you. I'm not saying this to imply that you don't do a good job. Not at all. I am saying that it's going to take a concerted effort on your part to make things happen. Your office will not organize itself. Your Inbox won't empty itself. Your Pastor is counting on you to have the "get-up-and-get-it-ness" factor. As much as I wish I didn't have to return phone calls... I'm a secretary who hates telephones (smile)... but as much as I wish I didn't have to return phone calls, I have to push myself to do it. I have to push myself to file... by the way, I hate filing too (big grin)... I breeze through the things I like, but I have to push myself through the things that I don't because I know that nobody is gonna do them for me. How do I do it? I focus on the fact that doing my part, with excellence, helps my (boss)Pastor do what she needs to do. Simple as that. If there is something that I don't know how to do, I find a book, I search the Internet, I do what it takes to get better understanding. And nobody has to make me do it. I understand that I have to care enough to make it happen. Even when I'm tired, have worked all day, have solved everybody else's problems and don't want to be bothered, I make a point to read at least 2 chapters in a book or watch a video online. Let me be your encourager. Let me push you. Don't just say, I'm not good with computers and leave it at that. Don't just say, I hate reading. Don't just say I can't write well. In part, that is why I'm here... to provide the push you need to take yourself to the next level, but don't just settle for the status quo. The "get-up-and-get-it-ness" factor... develop it, cultivate it, nurture it. You'll see your career and your life expand like never before if you do.

CSE Newsletter: Nov. 07 - 7 Myths About Organizing for Church Secretaries

2008-01-20T01:31:00.001-06:00

- WORDS TO INSPIRE: Change How You See You - FEATURE ARTICLE: Top 7 Myths About Being Organized - RECOMMENDED RESOURCES	Called To Assist I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone. [Numbers 11:17, NIV] << Subscribe to this Ezine >> << View September 2007 Issue >>
SPECIAL NOTE FROM TAMALA
Hi! Whew! Last month was a BEAST! We had one of our biggest conferences of the year for church pastors and their leaders. It was great, but boy was it a lot of work! I taught a workshop, along with our Bishop's executive secretary, that was just for The Pastor's Secretary. Check out my portion of the powerpoint presentation: The Pastor's Secretary Presentation New Newsletter Format I've shortened the newsletter because I know how busy you are. The newsletter is not effective if you don't read it. So I wanted to provide only the most important information so that you don't have to wade through so much extra.I will add the other stuff to the blog periodically, like the questions you send me (I get tons of them), and quick tips. So check the blog...I'm gonna make a very big effort to update it more often (smile). Click here to go to the CSE Blog Happy Thanksgiving! I trust you will have an awesome Thanksgiving... there is sooo much to be thankful for! Take some time to slow down and enjoy your family and the blessings you have.Honored to Serve You, Tamala M. Huntley, Executive Assistant Author of Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter, & Producing More With Less Stress
WORDS TO INSPIRE
Numbers 13:30-33 [AMP] - "Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it. But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." Having the right perspective is vitally important if we are going to be successful, not just in our careers, but in our very lives. When the 10 spies searched out the Promised Land, the perspective of 8 of them was so negative, it kept them from receiving something God had ALREADY promised them. Check your perspective. Are you overly sensitive to your pastor's comments? Do you feel like everybody is out to get you and nobody likes you? Do you even think more highly of yourself than you should? Are you dreading a project because you think there is no way you have the skills to get it done? Change your perspective. See yourself, your work, your ability as God sees you. See yourself as competent and more than able to handle the assignment that has been given to you. Ask God for wisdom and watch how quickly things change.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Dispelling the Top 7 Myths About Being Organized There are lots of myths going around when it comes to getting and staying organized. Here are the top 7, along with the truths. MYTH NUMBER 1: BEING ORGANIZED MEANS BEING NEAT.While you can certainly be neat AND be organized, the two terms should never be confused with each other. While you might have NEAT piles, or NEAT boxes piled one on top of the other, or objects lined up NEATLY in a straight line, you may still not be able to find a single thing when you need it. Being organized means you're using a structured system that allows you to find everything you need when you need it, and you get everything done when it's due--without frustration, chaos or stress. MYTH NUMBER 2: TO BE ORGANIZED IS TO BE CLEAN.Once again, while you can be BOTH organized AND clean, those terms should not be confused. Cleaning means that you're removing dirt, grime and otherwise preparing a sanitary surface. But, you can have the cleanest home or office on the block, and still be disorganized. MYTH NUMBER 3: TO BE ORGANIZED MEANS TO SCHEDULE EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR DAY.While scheduling appointments, projects you need to complete, chores, etc. is highly recommended, you certainly do not have to schedule 'every moment' of your day to be organized. 'Scheduling is the fine art of packing every day JUST FULL ENOUGH of the most useful activities.' Never overload it. Your schedule should always allow you time for spontaneity. MYTH NUMBER 4: ONLY CERTAIN TYPES OF PEOPLE CAN BE ORGANIZED.While there are a very small percentage of people who 'don't have the ability' to be organized, such as someone with a serious illness, most people CAN be organized. Being disorganized is not a disease, it is a decision. If you truly want to be organized, there are proven systems to help you. Once you know these systems and apply them every day of your life, you will be organized. MYTH NUMBER 5: BEING ORGANIZED TAKES LOTS OF TIME AND EFFORT.The truth is, it takes a lot less time and effort to be organized, than it does to be disorganized. Disorganization takes more time than you can imagine, and ensures that huge obstacles are always directly in the path of 'getting things done.' Getting and staying organized is not rocket-science. The systems and ideas, once learned, applied and practiced, can become as simple as brushing your teeth or combing your hair. MYTH NUMBER 6: EVERYONE I KNOW IS ORGANIZED, EXCEPT ME.Beware of this myth. Being organized is both an outer and inner trait. Unless you really know a person well, you really can't come to this conclusion. For example, someone may have a very neat home, but she is never on time. Another person may have an organized home, but his office filing system is out of control. Yet another person may have an organized home and office, but never reaches any of her goals. You are not alone. There are many, many people in the world who need help getting organized in certain areas of their lives--even if it doesn't seem so on the surface. MYTH NUMBER 7: ORGANIZED PEOPLE HAVE NO FUN.On the contrary, the people who are organized are getting the very best out of life. They are getting things done. They're achieving their goals. They're not wasting time searching for lost items, or re-doing things, or missing appointments. They're finding the time they need to do the things they love, and to spend time with the people they care about. by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Website http://www.getorganizednow.com
ABOUT TAMALA
Tamala M. Huntley, "The Church Secretary Coach," the author of the revolutionary book, Effectively Managing Multiple Projects... A Super Easy Guide to Getting Organized, Reducing Office Clutter and Producing More With Less Stress. If you liked today's ezine, you'll ABSOLUTELY LOVE this simple, easy-to-read e-book. If you implement the principles you learn, you are guraranteed to see a turnaround in your life and work in just 1 week. It is the most practical and enjoyable guide to being an effective church secretary, executive assistant or administrative assistant available and QUICKLY produces TANGIBLE RESULTS. Browse the Table of Contents now at www.ChurchSecretaryEssentials.com
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
The DYMO LetraTag Plus LT-100T is the compact label maker that is ideal for the home or small office. The computer keyboard design is easy-to-use with navigation buttons that allow for quick access to advanced features like multiple font styles, text sizing, date stamping and more. Its unique graphical display allows you to see bold, italic, underlined and other text effects on screen before you print. It prints on a variety of labels with different applications, such as paper and plastic labels for organizing, iron-on labels for clothing and magnetic labels for file cabinets and whiteboards. Get your Dymo label maker at www.dymo.com

Technology In Church

2007-09-10T23:09:00.001-05:00

Where does technology "fit" in church?

Today, there are so many ways to get the message of the Gospel delivered. You can download podcasts, view services live online, and so much more.

In order to stay in touch with changing generations, churches have to be able to keep up with the needs of their congregations. I love being able to listen to my pastor's sermon from my iPod while I'm on the treadmill. When I'm out of town, I like that I can watch our Sunday service live on the Internet.

Think about ways you can help your church meet the ever-changing needs of today's fast-paced society.

Speak out about this topic and more by posting your comment here.

How to Handle Interruptions

2007-09-10T23:07:00.000-05:00

How do I make sure my work is double-checked and done correctly while handling tons of interruptions at the same time all day?

How would you answer this question?

Use Your Voicemail to Save Time

2007-09-10T23:04:00.000-05:00

Some people may think this is not the best idea, however I save myself time by giving instructions on my voicemail. My outgoing message may be kind of long, but there is always the option to hit the "*" key and bypass it. In the message, I tell people they can leave a message, visit our website, or send me an email. I provide our website address as well as my email address.

Now, I have empowered them to find information on our website (mostly speaking engagement requests) and I have answered their questions without spending too much time on the phone and they get the immediate response they want.

You do want to be mindful of the length of your outgoing message,but this is one of the quickest and easiest ways I have found to eliminate some of the phone messages I get every day.

My Women on the Frontline Pics

2007-09-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

Even though I love advancements in technology, I'm a little slow on the digital camera thing so many of my pics didn't come out...

Two of my co-workers having a silly moment...

Me and Mrs. Berna taking a moment to strike a pose...I told you I wasn't so good with the pictures thing.

My friend Dione who was sooooo tired of waiting in line for us.

Me doing what I always do... work!

Still working...

This is how we all feel after working major conferences!

Are You Stressed Or Getting Rest Quiz

2007-08-03T10:41:00.001-05:00

Rest is vitally important if we are going to be productive in our lives. Many people find it hard to balance their work and personal lives. Take the following quiz and see how well rested you are...

If you can say YES to 5 or more of the following questions, YOU NEED MORE REST!

Do you have to drink coffee or energy drinks every day just to wake up?

Do you lose concentration often?

Do you have multiple "stress" related health challenges?

Are you always doing 5 different things at one time (talking ont the phone, eating, working at the same time)

Do you always overcommit your time and end up cancelling appointments?

Do you constantly rush from one appointment the next and are late for all of them?

Do you always feel tired, like you never get enough sleep?

Do you consistently work 60-80 hours per week?

Do you feel guilty for not spending enough time with your family?

Do you miss taking vacation time at work each year, only to have it roll over to the next year (or not roll over, depending on your church)?

You can't remember the last time you read and finished a book?

Do you feel frazzled and restless most of the time?

Do you hate to see Monday coming?

Are you always checking phone message, Blackberry messages, or email at home?

Do you always take work home with you?

If you failed this quiz... Read my 7 simple tips for balancing work and life featured in the August edition of my ezine and go get some rest!!!

Keep Learning

2007-08-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

Continuing education is a vital necessity in the life of any great assistant. Technology can change at the blink of an eye. Trends change with the seasons. If we are not careful, we'll be locked in a time-warp using outdated methods while the world passes us by.

In the day of iPods, jump drives and cell phones that have most of the bells and whistles of a personal computer, we can't afford to be left behind. A website and email address are staples every church should have. Every church secretary should be more than competent in how to acquire them.

Every church secretary in the 21st century should be proficient in word processing tools, using the internet and more. The great thing is that if you aren't, you can still learn. All it takes is a willingness to sift through the boatloads of information that's avaialble to you...much of it free. What are some of the ways you continue to learn and add value to yourself as an administrative professional?

Stop Taking Advantage of My Singleness

2007-08-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

I am single with no children. My pastor seems to take advantage of this by asking me to do work all the time and making comments like "you have nothing to do anyway" to validate his requests. I love my job but even as a single person I still want to enjoy time to myself and being with friends and family. How do I tell my pastor this without coming across as irresponsible?

How would you answer this question?

Create Time for Your Pastor

2007-08-03T10:36:00.000-05:00

A good assistant focuses on saving and creating time. How do you create time? By streamlining and eliminating work that your pastor would normally do. Imagine receiving a stack of letters requesting everything under the sun. As the pastor you must read each of them and decide how to proceed. Doesn't sound like fun, huh?

Now imagine this same stack of letters with the important points highlighted so that you only have to skim through in order to get the main points. Go even further and imagine post-it notes on each letter with a very brief summary of what is being requested. Lastly, eliminate the stack and picture the letters in folders labeled to indicate what requires an immediate response and what can wait. Changes like these are minimal and quite simple, but add them up and over the course of a year, you will have saved your pastor countless hours of work. This is how you create time for your pastor.

All In a Day's Work

2007-07-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

There is no doubt about it... as a church secretary there is always TONS of work to be done.

We just had one the busiest weeks here at our church. Our Spiritual Encounter youth conference grows every year and this year we had the largest attendance yet... probably about 9,000 teenagers! Check out some of the pics:

This is just one of the many events we have. My boss is always EXTREMELY busy, which means I am too... but I love it! Wouldn't trade it for the world. It's all in a days work.

Vacations aren't bad either :). I took a week off after the conference and did nothing but sleep and read. It was WONDERFUL!

Every church is different, but the workloads are probably all the same (for us secretaries and assistants anyway). Check out my e-book Effectively Managing Multiple Projects for some tips on how to better manage your time and get organized to get it all done.

God bless ya!

- Tamala

My manager takes credit for my ideas. What should I do?

2007-07-07T17:32:00.000-05:00

I am not my pastor's assistant, but I am the secretary for another manager on our church staff. My manager takes my ideas and presents them to my pastor but never gives me credit for them. What should I do?

Church Secretary Essentials - A Day In The Life... Blog

My 1st (and probably last) trip to Vegas!

Church Secretary - 7 Commandments to Bulletins That Pop!

Church Secretary Training - Secret Technology to Boost Productivity

http://www.ChurchSecretaryTraining.com

My Wackiest Video Ever (but there is a point)!

Video #2 - good news + your questions answered

NEW VIDEO - Keys to Understanding Your Role

Can You Go The Distance?

The Art of Effective Communication - Part 2

The Art of Effective Communication - Part 1

5 Step Formula for Getting Projects Done

Are You Just Busy?

CSE Newsletter: March 31, 2008 - Are You Just Busy?

discipline is not a dirty word...

**CSE Newsletter: Feb. 08 - Nobody's Gonna Do It For You**

**CSE Newsletter: Nov. 07** - 7 Myths About Organizing for Church Secretaries

Technology In Church

How to Handle Interruptions

Use Your Voicemail to Save Time

My Women on the Frontline Pics

Are You Stressed Or Getting Rest Quiz

Keep Learning

Stop Taking Advantage of My Singleness

Create Time for Your Pastor

All In a Day's Work

My manager takes credit for my ideas. What should I do?

CSE Newsletter: Feb. 08 - Nobody's Gonna Do It For You

CSE Newsletter: Nov. 07 - 7 Myths About Organizing for Church Secretaries