THINK DIFFERENTLY
Whether it ’ s abstinence from alcohol , a new gym membership or Veganuary , the start of a new year often equates with resolutions around health and wellbeing . For event planners , achieving that healthy work-life balance from the outset is no easy task .
In fact , event management is consistently talked about as one of the top 10 most stressful professions in the world , usually just after being a fire-fighter or serving in the military .
Every day , eventprofs juggle last-minute changes , client demands , rapidly approaching deadlines and more recently , the accelerated responsibilities for managing both in-person and online audiences for hybrid formats .
Cvent reveals how to reduce anxiety around planning hybrid and virtual events
Re3 Method
Planning for hybrid may result in feelings of dread that costs will escalate , being over-whelmed by the amount of attendee data , having a heightened sense of technology considerations you ’ d never imagined , plus that nagging fear that either the online or in-person attendee will feel neglected or disengaged , despite your best efforts .
During last year ’ s Event Wellbeing Week , cognitive behavioural expert , Alycia Angle , presented the ‘ Re3 Method ’ of managing such negative thoughts and emotions .
Her advice is to recognise feelings of professional anxiety , give them a name so that they can be expressed and become more manageable . Try reframing those feelings by getting someone else ’ s perspective on your performance or the challenge keeping you awake at night , and then practice replacing those feelings with a go-to action such as taking the dog for a walk to clear your head or listening to music that makes you feel joyful .
It ’ s easy to get bogged down by all the new terminology associated with virtual events or the little things that didn ’ t go as intended . So , don ’ t be afraid to speak up and ask questions of platform providers or production suppliers and make a conscious choice to focus on the positives first , and then consider what you would change .
Remember , there really is no such thing as a silly question since , when it comes to hybrid , eventprofs are all on a learning curve together that will continue upwards for some time yet . Secondly , embracing what went negatively allows you the opportunity to grow in your craft .
Over the past two years , working from home and up-skilling to virtual may have done little to calm the nerves of talented planners who have always thrived under the pressures associated with staging live events . So , this year , don ’ t let the new challenges associated with staging successful hybrid formats impact mental health . Keep it simple , speak openly and build-in positivity , mindfulness , and self-care into both your work-life , home-life and even your event programme .
When you ’ re the best you can be , your hybrid or virtual event will be too . Start your year with a new event planner skill , and register for our next webinar : New Year , New You , New Cvent Experience . www . conference-news . co . uk