Ten Steps to Avoid Losing Your Head as an Event Planner

I’ll be brutally honest with you guys for a moment: I don’t think I’ve the stomach for event management. The sheer level of stress the job involves has caused greater men and women than me to buckle, I’m certain. Even the most put-together of individuals could very easily lose their head if they don’t properly manage themselves.

Today, we’re going to look at a few ways the best event management professionals manage to avoid having an aneurism from their job – and how you can follow their example.

Always Keep A Checklist

The first piece of advice I’ll give, keep a checklist! Some people are capable of having their entire day fully plotted out in their mind’s eye, without ever having to look at a piece of paper. Most aren’t. Keep a checklist of what you need to accomplish, and update it frequently.

Learn To Delegate

You don’t need to do everything yourself. While it’s certainly tempting to micro-manage every element of your event, that’s a surefire way to force yourself into early retirement – or an early grave – from stress. Find a team of men and women you can trust, and start delegating tasks.

Avoid Multitasking Whenever Possible

A lot of people brag about how skilled they are at multitasking. They sort of bewilder me; multitasking is pretty much the worst possible thing you can do in terms of productivity. It’s a surefire way to get several tasks done poorly at once. Learn to focus on the task at hand, whatever it is.

Don’t Let Your Technology Control You

While we shouldn’t be afraid of technology, be cautious about relying on it to solve a major problem unless the issue absolutely requires it. “Streamlining” is the key word here. If a technology or app is guaranteed to solve the problem and save you time, use it. Otherwise, steer clear and dive in hands-on.

Take Some Time To Relax

Be aware of your limits and don’t overstep them; everyone needs to recharge. When planning out your day always leave a bit of time to relax, even five minutes will make a world of difference. You’re going full-tilt into a nervous breakdown if you don’t.

Stay Healthy

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: keep yourself healthy, both physically and emotionally. That means regular exercise, no caffeine binges, and healthy eating. Don’t let your job destroy your body.

Keep Your Team Working Together

A team tends to work best with a strong leader at the helm. Be a leader – always show your event staff you’re sure of yourself and know what you’re doing (fake it until you make it if need be!) Beyond that, follow steps above, lead by example, teach, work to minimize interpersonal conflict and reward your team for jobs well done.

Have A Strategy

For every action, there should be a well-thought-out plan behind it. Doing things without having an approach or strategy in mind is a recipe for poor performance. Always plan ahead, in essence event management is planning – sure, that seems like extra work, but planning out all details will be worth the stress you avoid.

Make Use Of Tools

It bears mentioning once more that you should never be afraid of using technology if you can be certain it’ll make your job easier. There’s a whole host of fantastic event management apps on the market for a reason. Use them.

Stay On Top Of Your Job

Last, but certainly not least, be sure you always stay on top of things where your job is concerned. Don’t leave for tomorrow what can be finished today. While there’s something to be said for a bit of thoughtful procrastination, putting things off will only lead to more stress down the line.