In the beginning, we seem to use a moderate amount of energy as all the pieces of the event start coming together and falling into place. As we get closer to the event date, more energy is needed to “shove” some pieces into the overall jigsaw that is our event or we are simply managing a lot more moving pieces.
The week before is a frantic time as everything comes together and we do the bump-in and then our delegates start to arrive.
Phew… we can take a breath.
Aaaand then we are on again as the event happens and it’s AMAZING!
One final burst for bump-out, a bit of debrief, final issues around shipping, lost sponsor items, a big thank you from the client and we are done!
Then we start again for the next year. Now lay multiple iterations of this on themselves for all the different events we do.
This boom or bust kind of roller coaster is fun…for a while. But it turns out it is not sustainable. As we get a little older, we need longer holidays, we can’t sustain some of the big days, we drink way more coffee or caffeinated drinks than we should and then feel shattered at the end of it all.
So how can we do it better? How can we manage our energy in a more sustainable manner? How do we make sure that we, and our teams, don’t burn out?
Nutritionists will talk about the importance of healthy, balanced diets with consideration for the right food groups at the right time.
Personal trainers will talk about the importance of regular cardio and resistance training all year round and not just lifting boxes at a show or walking everywhere on the show floor.
Organisational psychologies will talk about the importance of feeling safe and supported by those around you and having a strong and resilient mindset.
The secret is a bit of all of it. Everything in moderation, including moderation. As we know, some days you simply have to burn the candle at both ends. It is also hard to choose healthy foods when the catering is scones with jam and cream. Walking the dog after a 12-hour day is often a struggle. Being resilient when the client brings yet another “Hey can we just…” suggestion definitely has its limits.
We need a way to turn off.
The power of a hobby cannot be underestimated. Be it cards, knitting, book club, woodwork, sport, choir, musical theatre, a service club, something that is done ONLY for you. No running around after other family, something purely for you. You may do it by yourself, in an organised group or casually with friends. As long as you do it.
This helps charge your batteries, give you a different perspective on the world, an opportunity to turn off. You wouldn’t run your car flat out for days and weeks on end, so why do we do it to ourselves?
So, as you plan your busy life and help plan those lives around you, make sure you have time for your hobby. If you don’t have one yet, maybe set aside some time to try things to get one. You will be astounded by the impact it has on helping you stay focussed, stay present and stay sane as you make your amazing events happen.
Warwick Merry is a global award-winning event host and event evangelist. For 25 years he has been hosting and producing online, hybrid and in-person events. He is the host of the Making Events Awesome livestream and monthly Conference Organisers Forum.
