Many assistants don't often get a lot of recognition or encouragement from their bosses all that often. If you're running someones professional (and personal) life and receiving little or no positive reinforcement from day to day it's easy to become disheartened or even a little bitter.

I read an interesting post on Joan Burge's blog about this topic and thought I'd share it with you:

'First and foremost, don't expect to hear thank you verbalized often.  But here are other forms of communication that say, "I think you are great!  I trust you.  You are my business partner.  You are doing a terrific job, so I want to bring you into my world more."

•   When your manager shows confidence in you, that is a compliment!
•   When your manager shares confidential information with you, that is a compliment!
•   When your manager asks for your input on a project or your insight as to what is happening in the department, that is a compliment!

And the list goes on and on.  So I want to encourage you to look for the non-verbal signs of appreciation.  Those will make you feel good about yourself and the work you do.  You will also reduce any tension or resentment you might be feeling toward your managers because you are not hearing the words "Thank you." '


from: http://www.officedynamics.com/Blog/PostID/303.aspx

When you look at it from this perspective, being assistant seems a little less thankless. The fact that someone trusts you to run their life, parts of their business and even their family is a pretty big compliment and sign that you're doing a great job! How does your boss or business thank you for the work you do?