From Finger Paints to PR Meetings
(and a Whole Lot of Googling!)
Well, hello fellow remote assistants! This month’s funny story comes from being a transplant to the world of executive support. You see, my career trajectory took a rather… sharp turn. One moment I was knee-deep in glitter glue and teaching the alphabet to a room full of adorable (and occasionally sticky) preschoolers, the next I was diving headfirst into the fast-paced world of supporting an executive coach and author.
I joined my amazing executive in September 2022, and by the time March 2023 rolled around, we were gearing up to launch her fourth book! Talk about a whirlwind! It felt like I’d strapped myself onto a rocket ship fueled by deadlines and marketing strategies. Suddenly, my days weren’t filled with story time and nap schedules, but with PR meetings, launch plans, and a whole new vocabulary I was desperately trying to decipher.
I distinctly remember sitting in one of those early PR meetings, just a few short months into my new role, nodding along as confidently as I could while secretly having a full-blown Google session open on my laptop. “Earned media?” tap tap tap “ARCs?” scroll scroll scroll. The imposter syndrome was REAL, folks.
But amidst the internal panic and frantic keyboard tapping, a quiet determination was brewing. I knew I loved the organizational aspects of being an assistant, the problem-solving, the feeling of being a crucial support system. And I was stubborn enough to believe that with some serious elbow grease and a whole lot more Googling, I could figure this whole book launch thing out.
Fast forward to today, and I’m still supporting this incredible author. Not only did the book launch become a resounding success, but I even get to travel with her to speaking events, proudly manning the book sales table. It’s a far cry from circle time, but the energy and the feeling of accomplishment are just as rewarding.
Learning Moment:
Looking back on those early, slightly terrifying months, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: sometimes, “planting seeds” isn’t about careful cultivation and meticulous planning. Sometimes, it’s about just jumping in. Even if you feel completely out of your depth, even if you have to Google half the acronyms being thrown around, the act of immersing yourself in something new can be the most fertile ground for growth. You might stumble, you might feel like a fish out of water, but the sheer act of doing can teach you more than any amount of preparation ever could. So, if an unexpected opportunity comes your way, take a deep breath, embrace the unknown, and get ready to do a whole lot of learning on the fly. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.