Ask An Assistant

Jess Lindgren shares lessons learned, best practices, and actionable advice from her 20+ years as an administrative professional. Submit your questions at askanassistant.com for consideration!

Intermission (See You Next Week) 07/04/2025

Intermission (See You Next Week) Join the newsletter if you're feeling fancy: Patreon is another fancy option: https://www.patreon.com/jesslindgren I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/37281135

AAA75 | Top 5 Travel Tips for Executive Assistants on the Go 06/25/2025

AAA75 | Top 5 Travel Tips for Executive Assistants on the Go Esteemed Colleague Charlotte needs travel tips! Today's episode is a high-level overview of travel tips. Let's dig deeper into the nitty gritty of travel this fall at my rescheduled #AdminProDay events. :) Join the newsletter if you're feeling fancy: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/37145075

AAA74 | Taking Time Off as an Executive Assistant 06/17/2025

AAA74 | Taking Time Off as an Executive Assistant Esteemed Colleague Ava needs a vacation! Today's episode is a step-by-step breakdown of what it takes to get out of the office as an EA. Join the newsletter if you're feeling fancy: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/37036785

AAA73 | Working from Home with Pets 06/10/2025

AAA73 | Working from Home with Pets Esteemed Colleague Kathy asked for some tips when it comes to working from home with pets. My thoughts may (or may not) surprise you. :) Join the newsletter if you're feeling fancy: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36933000

AAA72 | Celebrating Milestones at Work 06/03/2025

AAA72 | Celebrating Milestones at Work Esteemed Colleague Meredith wrote in with a question about celebrating milestones at work. Let's discuss! I'm celebrating a milestone at work today with my exec - his new book pubilshes today! You can find out more at while we kick back and enjoy the day. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36829155

AAA71 | Should | Importance of Language Series 05/26/2025

AAA71 | Should | Importance of Language Series Let's talk about the importance of language when it comes to the word SHOULD. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36723820

AAA70 | Clean Your (Virtual) Desktop | Roughly Quarterly 05/20/2025

AAA70 | Clean Your (Virtual) Desktop | Roughly Quarterly I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36634440

AAA69 | Scheduling with Third Parties 05/13/2025

AAA69 | Scheduling with Third Parties I'm baaaaack! Today, we're talking about scheduling with third parties. A bit of a rant, hope you can relate...or implement change in your organization. xo Jess I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36545110

AAA68 | Speak Soon! 05/06/2025

AAA68 | Speak Soon! Esteemed Colleagues, hello! It's been too long...and it will be juuuuust a bit longer. I'm feeling much improved on the pneumonia and bronchitis front, but now I've lost my voice! Two of my favorite housemates step in to record in my stead. I hope to drop an episode or two later this week - I miss you! xo Jess /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36450295

AAA67 | See You Next Week 04/29/2025

AAA67 | See You Next Week Still riding high on the recovery train! While I am much improved since falling ill on April 14th, I have a long way to go. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36351420

AAA66 | AdminProDay 2025 04/22/2025

AAA66 | AdminProDay 2025 Happy Administrative Professionals Day/Week to all who celebrate! At the time of recording, I am recovering from having pneumonia and bronchitis at the same time! The message up top is short and sweet, the episode that follows is evergreen and dear to my heart. All tickets to Ask An Assistant #AdminProDay events have been refunded. Thank you to everyone who enrolled, your belief in me is humbling, and I look forward to learning together later this year, and always. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36255015

AAA65 | AI - Yay or Nay? 04/15/2025

AAA65 | AI - Yay or Nay? Esteemed Colleague Jen has questions about AI - do I use any, can I recommend any programs, and do I worry that AI is coming for my job as an EA? I'm hosting three sessions for Administrative Professionals Day 2025 - it would be an honor to have you join me for any/all of them: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36144040

AAA64 | Scheduling the Right Amount of Time with Anyone and Everyone 04/08/2025

AAA64 | Scheduling the Right Amount of Time with Anyone and Everyone Esteemed Colleague Nat writes in with a question about scheduling the right amount of time with people who need time on their executive's calendar. I'm hosting three sessions for Administrative Professionals Day 2025 - it would be an honor to have you join me for any/all of them: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36048445

AAA63 | April Housekeeping 04/08/2025

AAA63 | April Housekeeping Welcome to April housekeeping! Ask An Assistant Episode 15: Administrative Professionals Day happenings: // (no H!) // Let me know how you're cultivating/maintaining community, whether at home or at work. It's so important - now more than ever. <3 I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/36048525

#AdminProDay Announcement 04/01/2025

#AdminProDay Announcement See you there! xo Jess /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35955405

AAA62 | Responsive vs Reactive | Importance of Language Series 03/28/2025

AAA62 | Responsive vs Reactive | Importance of Language Series Let's talk about the importance of language when it comes to considering ourselves to be responsive vs reactive! I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35902145

AAA61 | My Favorite Scheduling Tool 03/18/2025

AAA61 | My Favorite Scheduling Tool Today's question comes from Esteemed Colleague, Kate. They have a question about scheduling tools, and I Have Thoughts. Listen in and let me know what you use! I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35740495

AAA60 | Job Hunting Tips 03/11/2025

AAA60 | Job Hunting Tips Today's question comes from Esteemed Colleague, Rae. They have a question about job hunting, and I share my thoughts on the matter. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35622560

AAA59 | Remote, Hybrid, and In-Office Work Arrangements 03/05/2025

AAA59 | Remote, Hybrid, and In-Office Work Arrangements Today's question comes from Esteemed Colleague Caitlyn. Welcome, listeners from the Leader Assistant Podcast! I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35539815

AAA58 | March 2025 Housekeeping 03/04/2025

AAA58 | March 2025 Housekeeping I'm coming to your ears with a few housekeeping items for March 2025! Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 7th, 2025. You can listen to , and know that the advice is evergreen. It's time change o'clock in a decent chunk of the world this weekend! has the details for the first half of the year's time change. You can also listen to on Daylight Saving(s) Time, and know that my rage at the time shifting system is evergreen. A full episode will release by EOB Pacific today. AAA 59 needed a little more time in the editing phase than usual. If you're feeling fancy, please consider signing up for the and/or (and/or Apple podcasts premium once I get that set up). Your support means the world, and I don't have a show without you. . I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35524055

AAA57 | Tips for Remembering Names 02/25/2025

AAA57 | Tips for Remembering Names Esteemed Colleague Brenda is asking for tips on remembering names in the office. Spoiler alert - like so many things in life, it's a practice! I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35418855

AAA56 | Clean Your (Physical) Desktop | Roughly Quarterly 02/18/2025

AAA56 | Clean Your (Physical) Desktop | Roughly Quarterly It's Roughly Quarterly time! Here is a refresher on the projects we tackled in 2024: Q1, Template Refresh, AAA 8: Q2, Seek and Destroy Large FIles, AAA 20: Q3, Subscription Audit, AAA 30: Q4, Email Signature Refresh, AAA 43: AAA 11, Office Cleaning Schedule: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35324520

AAA55 | Dogs in the Office 02/11/2025

AAA55 | Dogs in the Office Esteemed Colleague Vanessa wrote in to ask about whether they should allow dogs in the office. The answer is simple but nuanced. Let me know what you think! I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35233870

AAA54 | Dongles 02/04/2025

AAA54 | Dongles Esteemed Colleague Lauren wrote in to ask about a pet peeve in the office relating to adapters, and asked if I could relate. COULD I EVER. Lauren, you're not alone, and I hope my commiseration (and solution) prove helpful. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35141845

AAA53 | With vs For | Importance of Language Series 01/28/2025

AAA53 | With vs For | Importance of Language Series Today, I'm talking about the importance of language, and specifically, the notion of working WITH someone vs FOR someone. This has been a very important practice in my life - let me know how it sits with you! The other episodes in the Importance of Language Series that were mentioned in this episode: AAA 25: AAA 40: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/35042395

AAA52 | Minimizing Distractions on your Phone 01/21/2025

AAA52 | Minimizing Distractions on your Phone Let's talk about minimizing distractions on our phones! I try to think of my phone as a tool rather than a toy, and minimizing distractions as a practice. Let me know if you try any of these tips and how you feel after. :) I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/34936440

AAA51 | Supporting Employees, Colleagues, and Fellow Humans Through a Disaster 01/14/2025

AAA51 | Supporting Employees, Colleagues, and Fellow Humans Through a Disaster Go Fund Me campaigns for Black families in LA: Solidarity and Snacks: Junior High LA: Leola Lula, my esthetician, who is replacing skincare routines for people affected by the fires: Blair Imani: Caroline Moss's suggestion to 'adopt' a GFM and see it through to its goal: Nora McInerny's formula for helping: ----- I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/34846085

AAA50 | January 2025 Housekeeping 01/07/2025

AAA50 | January 2025 Housekeeping Burnout session: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/34752820

AAA49 | Until Next Year 12/31/2024

AAA49 | Until Next Year Until next year, Esteemed Colleagues! xo Jess Top three episodes of 2024: AAA 26 | 1:1 Frequency and Format: AAA 39 | Task Management Systems: AAA 42 | Weird Requests: I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/34666740

AAA48 | Unplugging Over the Holidays 12/24/2024

AAA48 | Unplugging Over the Holidays Burnout session: Esteemed Colleague Abby needs advice for ACTUALLY unplugging from work over the holidays. I always love to hear from you: Book a 1:1 with me: Lay your comments, questions, thoughts, and concerns on me. Have an awesome week! xo Jess Want a note from me and my IBM Selectric II typewriter? Write to me here and I'll type back soon: Jess Lindgren 4465 E Genesee Street STE 114 Syracuse, NY 13214 /episode/index/show/askanassistant/id/34596690

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