For most of us old timers, a hashtag is a pound sign.  Well it used to be until someone started using it on social media.  So what it a hashtag anyways?  Well it is a # sign before a topic, e.g. #SDA.  It is that simple.  If you are posting something on a social media outlet and would like to make it into a searchable topic, add a hashtag. 

There are some rules that need to be followed when using a hashtag:

1.       No spaces

2.       Use capitalization to separate word instead of space because it doesn’t affect the search capabilities

3.       You can use numbers, but not symbols in your hashtag

A general rule of thumb is to use no more than three in any one posting.  SDA has used hashtags when we are using Twitter during EDSymposium.  This is an easy way for someone to follow one topic.  Try it.  Look up one of your favorite topics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+.  My favorite is #TGIF.  You might be surprised at who you can meet and talk with about topics that you both like.  Using the comment box below, let us know what are some of your favorite hashtags?

Sabrina Heard, CDFA, is the Office Manager/Executive Assistant

at Randall-Paulson Architects in Roswell, Georgia

She currently serves as the SDA National President-Elect. 

Leadership.  An intimidating word!  You’ve been hearing your whole life that you should be a leader, not a follower.  But what does being a leader really mean?

Leaders inspire others.  They can identify a problem before it gets out of control. They find a way to connect with others and take them where they need to be.  They are the decision makers.  They show their leadership through results, not talk.  And they know how to achieve goals. A really great leader motivates people to do things they didn’t even know they wanted to do and leaves them with a feeling of personal accomplishment.  They let others shine.

In this world where we are too often more interested in taking the credit then accomplishing the goal, it is difficult to be a good leader.  It’s hard to put the objective ahead of ourselves and let others get the praise.  But if it was easy, everyone would do it. 

John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”  SDA embodies this sentiment by providing an opportunity for both to all members.  Who has inspired you?  What leadership role are you motivated to try next?  

Wendy Callahan is the Director of Financial Analysis

with Davis Brody Bond LLP in New York, NY

Does your desk look like a tornado?  Mine usually does because I am a paper pusher.  I take papers and then I process them and they leave my desk, but in the meantime my desk looks unorganized.  I have tried many different ways to keep my desk cleaned off of the paper because the as the saying goes… ‘a messy desk means a messy mind’.  I am normally a very organized person and I can put my hands on the item that I am looking for on my desk within about 20 seconds.  But…

As I get older, it is driving me crazy.  I made a deal with my brain.  I would try to keep my desk mess to a minimum.   I knew that I had to create a habit of cleaning my desk and that it would take me 21 days.  After 23 days, I have done a pretty good job of keeping the paperwork to a minimum.  I have created a one touch policy – only touch the paper once and don’t put it in a pile (this has helped the most).  I have also started sending people to the correct person instead of work flowing through me.  The one thing that has stood out in this process is how impressed everyone has been on my progress and that they noticed.  So I ask myself, "Why didn’t I do this years ago?"

What about you?  Is your desk neat and tidy, or full of piles of paper?   Share your greatest tip for keeping a clean desk in the comment section below.

Sabrina Heard, CDFA, is Office Manager with Randall-Paulson Architects in Roswell, Georgia. She currently serves as the SDA National Treasurer.