The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s the busiest time of the year for event planners. From major corporate holiday gatherings to reunions and weddings, event planners typically have their hands full this time of year. While the holidays are good for business, they can often be a difficult time to find a good work-life balance.
As much as they want to be sometimes, event planners are not machines, and they need personal time for themselves as well. The last thing an event planner wants is to burn out. But how do you enjoy the holidays yourself without sacrificing your performance on the job? Here are five tips we have found that work for event planners during the holidays:
Don’t Overbook Yourself: Yes, it can be tempting to book as many jobs as you can during this busy time of year. However, try not to be too ambitious as you will spread yourself thin. The goal is to do your job well and give your clients your full attention. This is impossible if you have multiple events on the same day or have been pulling sixteen- hour days most days of the week. Assess your schedule and determine what you can handle.
Rely on Your Team: If you have a team behind you or are working with a specific corporate event venue, put your trust in them to do their jobs. You have taken the time to hire the right people or find a good venue with a quality staff. Micromanaging them will only put more stress on you and them.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: As an event planner, you know that every client is different. While some are easy to work with, others will change their mind throughout the planning process. It’s your job to mitigate this by preparing ahead of time. Be sure to bring a notebook with you and ask clear questions to the client about what he or she envisions and how you can make it happen. Although changes may be requested, you at least will understand what he or she wants and will be prepared for those requests.
Focus on One Thing at a Time: Multi-tasking leads to mistakes and stress. While you may have a million things going on, it’s crucial that you stay focused on one task at a time. You will likely save time in the end, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing the task was done right.
Schedule Some Time for Yourself: Need a break or some time with your family? Put it on the calendar. Treat your personal time like your work time and make it mandatory. This way you will be able to enjoy the holidays with those you love, too.
