Most days, you’re one of the first people in the office and one of the last ones to leave. No day is ever the same, most days you’re juggling many plates at one time, like an octopus and sometimes you may feel like you need eyes in the back of your head. Trying to be one step ahead at all times, to ensure you are providing the most seamless day and support for your executives.
This can come at a cost, a taboo no one ever talks about. Loneliness.
Being an Assistant, you don’t technically sit within a team, you’re an extension of your executive. You’re segregated from most parts of the business, but behold, you know a lot! But we have to get the job done. Sometimes you feel antisocial, but you’re busy! You don’t get automatic friendships within the workplace and you spend your first few weeks trying to find your feet, all while being conscious you don’t have anyone to rely on, or talk to. Teams go out for coffee, lunches and off for after work drinks.. and wait, you’re still in the office, way past your hours and most the time, Alone.
You’ll go to extra lengths to get to know people, you go to the office more and introduce yourself.. even if it means talking to someone, while they warm their lunch up in the microwave. You become a part of any committee, so you can get involved in any opportunity possible. It can take time to connect, get your presence out there and giving time for people to trust you, but that’s ok! You’ll keep at it! You’ll stay quiet and just listen in the meanwhile.
And you ask why we do it? Because realistically loneliness is only a small part of our day. We truly love what we do. We see a difference of how our executives run the business and a small part of that magic, is our help. We get involved in all parts of the business. We are forever changing chameleons adapting to any situation that comes our way, no job is ever too big or small in our eyes. We strive to be the very best, because ultimately, we are all one team, who have the same dream.
I truly believe as an assistant, that when we enter a business on that very first day, to the day we leave, we want to know we’ve made a difference and we won’t let Loneliness get in our way.