Cairene MacDonald
administrative guide

Third Hand Works

• http://www.thirdhandworks.com

I am an "administrative guide." I help independent creatives learn how to manage the administration of their businesses using right- instead of left-brain strategies through workshops and individual consultation.

> unconventional workflow strategies for unconventional people: administrative guidance for creatives who want to succeed in business and still be themselves

Cairene's blog: How THW Gets In Gear

• The Devil Is In The Details

  Posted Fri, 10 Oct 2008 by Cairene

  The forgotten appointment, the missed deadline, the lost files… Details can seem trivial until you can’t find your car keys when you’re already running late. Please don’t make the big mistake so many adults who have ADD make: because they are bored by details, they skip over suggestions on how to manage them.  That is like [...]

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• Delivered from Distraction

  Posted Thu, 09 Oct 2008 by Cairene

  I recently read Delivered from Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell, MD and John J. Ratey, MD.  More accurately, I reviewed portions of the book seeking insights into right-brain thinking, since it is often so similar to the thinking of someone with ADD. First, I often talk about the need for structures, especially the right kind of [...]

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• I’m All Ears

  Posted Tue, 07 Oct 2008 by Cairene

  I could go on and on about the importance of self-care and the necessity of pacing yourself, so that whatever you do, you do it sustainably without depleting yourself. But lately, I have done a poor job of engaging in self care.  Not because I am overwhelmed by external pressures and responsibilities.  But because I am [...]

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• No, Really, It Works

  Posted Mon, 06 Oct 2008 by Cairene

  In this week’s newsletter, I said, “Take care of your mental and emotional housekeeping. Do it and the email and the filing will take care of themselves.” “Yeah, right,” I hear you all thinking to yourselves. But it really works. Let’s look at the flow chart again. A Clean Mental Environment >> leads to Obvious Choices/Priorities >> which leads to Focused [...]

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• Blaming the Client

  Posted Fri, 03 Oct 2008 by Cairene

  The intent of this blog is to offer encouragement through observation of my own experience.  Rarely would a critique of my professional peers be a part of that.  But this encounter stayed with me and its implications for those seeking help felt important to write about. * * * * * * * * * * I [...]

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