Home productivity tips

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

May 30 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM BST

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

The event will take place as an HQ Live. At the time of the event simply visit the 🎥 HQ Live Events space and join us.

Visit the Community
The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

🎉 Ready to join?

We’d love for you to join us today! Sign up with a 14 day free trial!

Inside you’ll find:

🖤 Helpful Templates
🖤 Exclusive events including HQ Lives, Empower Hours, and Coworking Sessions
🖤 Professional development courses

Join Us

The Officials

View Organizer Website

A dark green desk with notebooks, white keyboard and mouse, and a black pen.

Simple Gamification to Beat Task Paralysis and Tackle Overwhelm

Staring at an overwhelming to-do list or a packed inbox, feeling completely stuck has happened to all of us. The task feels too big, too endless, and too impossible to start. That frozen, paralyzed state is what’s often called task paralysis, and it’s a common struggle for busy professionals.

The good news? You don’t need a complex system or a fancy productivity app to break through it. Sometimes the simplest tricks can be the most effective, especially when they use gamification to spark action.

Why Gamification Helps Break Task Paralysis

Gamification is simply the act of adding game-like elements to non-game tasks including:
✔️ clear rules,
✔️ progress markers,
✔️ rewards.

When a task feels overwhelming, your brain often can’t see the path forward. Gamification creates structure and momentum by giving your brain something it craves: small wins.

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, simple gamification works best because it removes overthinking and gets you moving quickly.

A Real-World Example: The “Sets of Five” Email Hack

One small but powerful gamification trick I use is when I’m faced with an overflowing inbox. Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, I break the job down and only work on 5 emails at a time.

I grab my notebook and I write the number of emails I have down in batchese of five. If I have 54 emails then I would write the 54, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 0 in a grid (see image).

Once I clear five, I cross off the number and move on to the next set. This simple action transforms an overwhelming, open-ended task into a clear, achievable challenge. This helps me visually see my progress and then I want to solve the simple game and get to zero.

Why Simple Gamification Works

It Reduces Overwhelm
Breaking a large task into smaller steps makes it easier to start and less intimidating.

It Delivers Quick Wins
Every crossed-off number or completed step releases dopamine, giving your brain a sense of achievement that motivates you to keep going.

It Turns Tasks Into Games
The repetitive structure (clear five, cross off, repeat) helps your brain focus on “what’s next” rather than “how much is left.”

It Builds Momentum
Once you’ve crossed off the first few milestones, it’s much easier to keep moving. That forward motion is often all you need to break free from paralysis.

You Don’t Have to Overthink It

The best part? Gamification doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need apps, charts, or reward systems. Simple, visual, and tangible tricks like writing numbers on paper or setting mini-targets can be enough to shake you out of feeling stuck.

Try It for Yourself

Next time you’re staring down an overwhelming task whether it’s a packed inbox, a cluttered project, or a long list of admin jobs you can experiment with a small dose of gamification:

  • Break the task into bite-sized, countable chunks.
  • Track your progress visually.
  • Celebrate each small win.

You might be surprised how quickly the momentum builds, and how something so simple can clear the mental fog and help you move forward.

Interested in more tips to make you job easier? Why not sign up for The Officials Dossier newsletter?

Tech Hack – Microsoft Lists – The Secret Productivity Weapon for Admin Pros (June 2025)

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

June 5 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

Discover the underused gem every Microsoft-based admin and assistant needs in their digital toolkit.

Because no assistant should be left behind by tech. Ever. 💻✨

Let’s face it: Microsoft has approximately 1 billion ways to manage tasks… and most of them miss the mark. Overwhelmed? We get it. You deserve tools that actually support the way you work—without causing more chaos.

This month at Tech Hack, we’re shining a light on Microsoft Lists—an underrated powerhouse that lets you organize your tasks, automate workflows, and supercharge Forms like never before. Whether you’re a tech newbie or the unofficial IT person in your office, this is your moment to shine.

Tech Hack is your monthly dose of real, relevant, and ridiculously useful tech for assistants—created by admin pros, for admin pros. It’s free, fun, and full of “wait, why didn’t I know this?!” moments.

What to Expect at Tech Hack: Microsoft Lists

  • ✨ A live, over-the-shoulder demo—from an admin perspective
  • 🙋‍♀️ Friendly, open Q&A (no gatekeeping, no jargon)
  • 🛠️ Practical, real-world use cases
  • 🧠 Tools + tips for all skill levels (yes, even if you’ve never opened Lists before)
  • 🎥 Replay for every registrant
  • 💬 A warm, welcoming community of fellow support stars

Who Should Attend

This one’s for you if you’ve ever Googled:

  • “Best Microsoft task management tool for executive assistants”
  • “How can an administrative professional stay organized with Microsoft?”
  • “What tech should office managers learn?”

Whether you’re an Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Admin Coordinator, Virtual Assistant, or wear all the hats, this is a must-attend session for anyone in a support role who wants to level up with modern, intuitive tech.

You don’t need to be a Microsoft 365 pro, just bring your curiosity and we’ll show you the magic. 💫

Snag your seat, friend! 🎉

You’ll leave with smarter workflows, more control over your chaos, and confidence that you do know your tech.

🕶️ Register now because brilliant admins deserves brilliant tools.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

Yay! We are so excited you want to join us.

Register inside HQ
Make sure you RSVP for this event via the Events page inside of HQ so we know you are coming.

Reminder
You can also add a reminder to your calder to your calendar.

Visit the Community
The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

Not a member?

Join the Explorer Plan to Access Exclusive Free Events!

To attend our free events, sign up for the freemium plan and enjoy these benefits:

  • Access to Free Events: Attend exclusive, free events open only to Explorer members.
  • Stay Informed: announcements and news about upcoming events and community updates.
  • Public Event Invitations: Get early access to public events available to the broader network.
Join Freemium Plan

About The Tech Hack Series

About The Tech Hack Series
Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley – Founder, where she shares the best tech tips and tricks to revolutionize the way administrative professionals work.

Our goal is to help you:
 – Embrace tech and not fear it
 – Make more money by boosting your skill set
 – Impress yoir team and bosses with your new tech-empowered problem-solving skills
 – Stay relevant with the ever changing technology landscape 

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter
Neon beams in the background with the words "The Officials. Tech Hack". This is a promo image for an event series on technology for assistants.

The Officials Tech Hack Series: Must Know Tech for Administrative Professionals

Neon beams in the background with the words "The Officials. Tech Hack". This is a promo image for an event series on technology for assistants.

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

July 3 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

Our Tech Hack series is all about giving executive assistants, admin coordinators, and office pros the real-world tools they need to feel confident, capable, and ahead of the curve. We demystify modern tech by showing how it really works through live, admin-led demos that prove it’s easier (and more helpful!) than it looks. No jargon. No judgment. Just smart, simple tech made for support pros like you.

Not sure what tech to learn next? Let us help.

Every month, we zoom in on a tool or trend that’s changing the admin game. From AI to automation, calendar tips to Chrome extensions, you’ll see it in action, admin-style. No more guessing what button does what or how it applies to your day-to-day.

This month’s topic is still under wraps (👀), but trust us: it’s a tool you’ll want in your admin toolkit.

What to Expect

✅ Live over-the-shoulder demo from the POV of an experienced admin
✅ Real-world use cases and time-saving tips
✅ Open Q&A (ask anything!)
✅ Tools for tech newbies and super users
✅ Replay available for all who register
✅ Fun, friendly community energy

Who Should Attend

If you’ve ever Googled “best executive assistant tools” or “how to be more efficient at work,” this is for you.

This monthly session is made for:

  • Executive Assistants
  • Administrative Coordinators
  • Office Managers
  • Virtual Assistants
  • Anyone in a support role who wants to feel more tech-capable and less tech-overwhelmed

Whether you’re the go-to office wizard or just getting comfy with new tools, Tech Hack by The Officials is your monthly dose of digital empowerment.

Save your seat—future you will thank you.

Expect to feel more empowered, more efficient, and way more tech-savvy. Register below to save your spot and get the replay, even if you can’t join us live.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

Yay! We are so excited you want to join us.

Register inside HQ
Make sure you RSVP for this event via the Events page inside of HQ so we know you are coming.

Reminder
You can also add a reminder to your calder to your calendar.

Visit the Community
The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

Not a member?

Join the Explorer Plan to Access Exclusive Free Events!

To attend our free events, sign up for the freemium plan and enjoy these benefits:

  • Access to Free Events: Attend exclusive, free events open only to Explorer members.
  • Stay Informed: announcements and news about upcoming events and community updates.
  • Public Event Invitations: Get early access to public events available to the broader network.
Join Freemium Plan

Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley. She speaks with administrative professionals about her favorite tech tips and tricks to help assistants…
– Embrace tech and not fear it
– Make more money by boosting their skill set
– Impress their team and bosses with their problem-solving skills
– Stay relevant as technology rapidly redefines the way we work

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

April 25 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM BST

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

HQ Members

The event will take place as an HQ Live. At the time of the event simply visit the 🎥 HQ Live Events space and join us.

Visit the Community
The Officials HQ Online Training and Community Platform displayed on a laptop

🎉 Ready to join?

We’d love for you to join us today! Sign up with a 14 day free trial!

Inside you’ll find:

🖤 Helpful Templates
🖤 Exclusive events including HQ Lives, Empower Hours, and Coworking Sessions
🖤 Professional development courses

Join Us

The Officials

View Organizer Website

A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

April 11 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM BST

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events like Empower Hours and Coworking Sessions
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community

The Officials

View Organizer Website

A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Office Hours Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

March 28 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

This is a fabulous event open to every HQ Member.  Join our Coworking + Office Hours session—a dedicated time for HQ Members to boost their productivity, stay accountable, and get expert guidance from Lauren Bradley, all in a supportive virtual space.

Coworking

Join our virtual coworking session – a perfect setting to clear your To Do List, progress on a passion project, or prepare for the coming week in a supportive environment. 

How it works:

  • State Your Goals 🎯 – Upon arrival the host will check in and ask all attendees what they would like to achieve during the Coworking session. This could be work or personal projects. 
  • Accountability – Everyone’s goals for the session are listed on a shared board. These are general descriptions like “Create holiday party invite” and not “Create ABC Company’s holiday party invite at Hyatt London”. 
  • Body Doubling – Everyone then goes on MUTE and gets to work. Utilizing the power of body doubling, each attendee starts attacking their to do list for the session. As everyone is on mute, feel free to bop along to your own playlist to keep you motivated. 
  • Celebrate 🎉 – At the end of the session the host will check in and see how everyone got on with their tasks and will update the board. We celebrate the work everyone has completed.

This session is an ideal combination of productivity and professional growth. Work, learn, and connect with fellow assistants in an empowering environment.

Office Hours

Need some quick advice from Lauren Bradley? Book a mini-session! These sessions happen within the Friday Coworking + Office Hours events. At your allotted time you will be called into a private breakout room where you can discuss your query and gain guidance from Lauren.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events like Empower Hours and Coworking Sessions
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community

The Officials

View Organizer Website

A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking + Coaching Clinic for Administrative Professionals

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals

March 7 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT

Our coworking sessions for assistants give you time, accountability, and now, expert guidance!

Join us for a unique coworking session tailored for administrative professionals. This is your chance to clear your To Do List, work on a passion project, or prep for the coming week. Plus, we’re introducing an invaluable addition: our Coaching Clinic! Get personalized advice on refining your resume during the session.

What to expect

  • Each session we sit together and get stuff done.
  • Dedicated time to work on what’s important to you.
  • New! Coaching Clinic: Get expert advice on how to update your resume, develop your career, and more.
  • Accountability through goal setting.
  • Library Effect that promotes productivity as attendees work on mute to hit their goals.
  • Final check-in to celebrate the success of making progress.

All administrative professionals are welcome to attend

Anyone in the administrative professional community is welcome to attend including executive assistants, administrative assistants, personal assistants, virtual assistants, chiefs of staff, office managers, strategic business partners, receptionists and more.

Please note

Beta Testing > These sessions are a new medium for us so bare with us as we work on the format and experiment with what works best for you. Feedback is welcome.

Not yet a member?
Make It Official.

Did you know that HQ Members get to attend our coworking session for free?

Not only do you get access to these weekly sessions but you also gain access to:

– Helpful templates
– Exclusive events like Empower Hours and Coworking Sessions
– Professional development courses
– Our incredible global community

Join Today

HQ Member

HQ members can register via the Officials HQ Community events page.

*Please note this link is for subscribing members only.

Visit the Community

The Officials

View Organizer Website

Tech Hack – The Game-Changing Tool that Makes Client Work and Time Tracking Easier for Virtual Assistants

An illustrated black and white line drawing of a web browser window. Colorful abstract shapes float in the background. Showcasing Kirmada the organizational tool for Virtual Assistants.

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

May 8 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

The Game-Changing Tool that Makes Client Work and Time Tracking Easier for Virtual Assistants

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

If you’re a virtual assistant juggling multiple clients, switching between tasks, and manually tracking your hours — this one’s for you.

In this event, you’ll learn how one simple tool, Kirmada, can help you organize client workspaces, track your time automatically, and make invoicing a whole lot easier. You’ll see a live demo of how this browser is designed to simplify the way virtual assistants work, so you can stay focused and get paid for every minute.

Special guest: Adam Engberg, Co-Founder + Product Development Lead at Kirmada

Prep for the event:
You are welcome to signup for Kirmada ahead of the event to follow along and use code VAVAVOOM for a 30 day free trial.

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

register now

Virtual Assistant Scholarship Offer

Sponsored by Kirmada

We know that starting your own Virtual Assistant business can be both exciting and daunting. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Kirmada to offer a special scholarship designed specifically to support and empower VAs like you, who are either just planning out their VA business or have recently embarked on this exciting journey.

Learn More

Tech Hack – Formidable Efficiency: Smart Data Capture with Microsoft and Google Forms

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

April 3 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST

Are you an administrative professional looking for ways to streamline your work, collect data efficiently, and improve productivity? Microsoft Forms and Google Forms are game-changing tools that allow you to create surveys, quizzes, and forms in minutes—without any technical expertise.

Join us for an exclusive, free webinar where we’ll demonstrate how these powerful tools can make your life easier. Whether you’re gathering feedback, managing event registrations, or automating processes, Microsoft and Google Forms are must-haves in your admin toolkit!

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to quickly create and customize forms and surveys in Microsoft and Google Forms
  • Real-world examples tailored to administrative professionals

Don’t miss this opportunity to upskill and boost your efficiency with Microsoft and Google Forms! Secure your spot today.

Join us for our wildly successful Tech Hack Series with host Lauren Bradley. She speaks with administrative professionals about her favorite tech tips and tricks to help assistants…
– Embrace tech and not fear it
– Make more money by boosting their skill set
– Impress their team and bosses with their problem-solving skills
– Stay relevant as technology rapidly redefines the way we work

This is a FREE webinar open to all. Please note, our content is tailored for administrative professionals but all are welcome.

register now
Lauren Bradley - Founder of The Officials, Lead Trainer for Executive Assistants, Typing at a Macbook at her desk. Lauren has on a white shirt with blue stripes and has long blond hair cascading over her shoulder.

Meet your host

Lauren Bradley, FoundeR of The Officials + Lead Trainer

Lauren has held every admin and assistant title under the sun including Office Manager, Virtual Assistant, EA to the CEO and private PA to HNWIs. She is a former OfficeNinjas All-Star winner and founder of The Officials. She is passionate about empowering admins and assistants.

Follow her here:

Follow us for more tips!

LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Newsletter