Here's how you can navigate common pitfalls when managing deadlines as an administrative assistant.

First, decide which tasks on your to-do list are the most critical. You could determine this based on deadlines you have for the week, client expectations or coworker requests. For example, you may focus on a marketing report due at the end of the day before moving on to other tasks. Once you decide which tasks are most important, schedule them into your calendar. Prioritizing your time can be easier when you see your list of tasks each day. You may find that you focus better on those daily tasks when you have a visual reminder of each one you need to complete. Completing them can also provide a feeling of accomplishment.

Once you have prioritised your tasks, be open and transparent with your co workers and management about your workload and the decisions you have made - and why. If you don't communicate they won't know what you're dealing with and could lead to delegating tasks if appropriate or needed.

Failing to plan is planning to fail....... I know it's a cliché but think about how often a day with no planning has been productive - or not. The feeling of completing tasks set by the end of the day will be a great motivator to set yourself up to plan each day/week/month. Don't forget to plan and schedule breaks - it will make you more productive if you're taking some time out during the day.

When communicating with others, we often focus on what we should say. However, effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the speaker is trying to convey. There’s a big difference between engaged listening and simply hearing. When you really listen—when you’re engaged with what’s being said—you’ll hear the subtle intonations in someone’s voice that tell you how that person is feeling and the emotions they’re trying to communicate.

My experience producing live TV shows was an exercise in flexibility and thinking on your feet. While not everyone thrives on that adrenaline, it's sometimes necessary and that's where planning and being organised comes into the fore. It's much easier to be flexible when you the potential chaos is one aspect of your day - not every part of your day.

Keep a positive attitude. Accept that there are events that you cannot control. Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive. Learn to manage your time more effectively. Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life. Make time for hobbies and interests. Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress. Drugs and alcohol can stress your body even more. Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love.