Behind the walls of corporate America, it’s easy to be part of the weave than create your own pattern. When you merely exist by going through the motions day after day without ever stopping to consider what more can be achieved, you are working with the same thread. But if you thread your own needle, then you are diversifying the fabric that shapes the culture.
the core difference
To exist in the workplace is to function according to specified protocols and expectations. It’s fulfilling your role competently but passively, doing what’s necessary and no more. In contrast, to be in your role means to engage deeply and actively with your responsibilities, looking for opportunities to influence outcomes and contribute uniquely. It’s about adopting a mindset that seeks transformation and growth, not just in your tasks but in yourself. Investing in deep work and digital literacy will build upon who you are designed to be rather than feeling like a cog in the wheel.
the journey of becoming
Choosing to become rather than merely exist requires a commitment to self-examination and a willingness to challenge your own status quo. It’s about asking not just “What needs to be done?” but “How can I do this better? How can I make this my own?” This is not about striving for a distant goal of perfection but embracing a continuous process of evolution.
embrace the non-linear path of growth
Success follows a winding path, filled with challenges, setbacks, and surprises. Each challenge faced and overcome in the office is a step toward becoming a more adept and resourceful professional. When you encounter complexity, look at it as an opportunity to innovate and improve, rather than as a barrier.
disrupt the routine
Old habits might be safe, but they often lead to stagnation. To truly become, you must be willing to disrupt these patterns. This might involve adopting new technologies, proposing different approaches to workflow management, or altering the traditional dynamics of your relationship with executives and colleagues to foster a more collaborative agile environment.
train the brain muscle
Just as an athlete trains their body, an executive assistant must train their brain. Cultivate curiosity, seek knowledge, and never stop learning. Whether it’s mastering a new software or exploring methodologies like agile project management, each new skill not only enhances your capabilities but also stimulates mental growth and satisfaction.
navigate uncharted waters
Dare to be different and carve your own route. This could mean initiating projects or bringing new ideas to the table that reshape how your team operates. It’s in these uncharted waters that you’ll discover new strengths and passions. And possibly fueling a colleague to seek out modernized ways of working too!
risk for reward
Taking risks is essential for breaking out of existence and stepping into being. While not every risk will pay off, each one is a learning experience that builds resilience and sharpens judgment. Risk invites change, and change is the essence of growth. Remove fear from the equation and embrace failing forward, giving yourself permission to experiment and innovate—just as spices transform a dish, new approaches can rejuvenate your work.
Choosing to become who you are designed to be rather than to exist transforms your role from a job to a journey, one of professional achievement and personal discovery that breeds fulfillment along the way. In the dynamic role of an executive assistant, you have the unique opportunity to shape both your world and the world around you. Every day presents a choice: will you simply exist within the boundaries of your role, or will you push those boundaries to become what you are truly capable of being? This daily choice defines your character and becomes your anchor, no matter how often the company changes its fabric. As the organization evolves, so will you, continuously threading a larger needle to weave the expansive tapestry you’re becoming.
