There’s an elephant in the room. And it’s a big one. Event planners need to practice self-care to avoid burnout, overload, and stress. There. We said it.
No one is a master at juggling a million tasks under tight deadlines like you. You’re a creative genius and master problem-solver. Being an event planner in New York is your superpower. However, there is incredible value in understanding the need for work-life balance. Even superheroes need a breather sometimes.
Here’s the trouble, though. So many event planners struggle to give themselves permission to relax or step away. There is this constant drive to book more, meet more, and create more, which is necessary for success. But if you need some real inspiration, here are a few ways you, as an event planning business owner, can find your ideal work-life balance.
1. Become a Master at Scheduling Yourself
You’re a master at creating and maintaining schedules. So, try to do some of that scheduling work for yourself. Create your own monthly agenda that precisely carves out time for relaxing, away from the emails. Take a nap. Explore some hobbies. Go for a walk. You might tell yourself you don’t have time for these things. But if they’re scheduled in, you’ll be more apt to take advantage of the free time you allocate yourself. If you manage these downtimes on your calendar, you can also set reminders so you know when it’s time to take an hour to breathe.
2. Make Time for Your People
Whether you have a big family or a few close friends, take time to hang with them and spend quality time. You can schedule morning coffee dates or family game nights that allow you to spend quality time away from event planning and with the people you cherish the most. It also sends a message to them that you care enough to schedule time with them, just as you would an important client.
3. Unplugging Means Unplugging
Have you ever taken a hiatus from Facebook or Instagram? Maybe you know friends who have. Most will tell you how liberating it is. It’s so easy, even when you’re not working, to hop online and lose yourself in feeds, checking on your clients’ pages, and watching cat videos. But because so much of what you do as an event planner is digital, any breaks from the online activity will be rewarding. You don’t have to take a sabbatical altogether. But make an effort to give yourself an hour or two each week to unplug, for real. You’ll be surprised how much time you’ll have to reflect, relax, and destress.
4. Get Yourself a Gratitude Journal
Event planners can often feel drained because so much of what they do is for the benefit of others. And it’s a common mistake to always want to compare yourself to other top pro event planners. However, it’s not healthy to sustain either of these lines of thinking. One way to help find work-life balance is with a gratitude journal that allows you to reflect and take stock in your current success, achievements, and betterment. Send a thank-you email to someone you appreciate. Text a friend how you care. Even within your event planning staff roster, take the time to recognize great effort when you see it. And the act of expressing gratitude can fill you up when you feel you’ve “given” too much of yourself away. It’s the perspective you need to maintain a healthy give and take balance of your energy.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Delegate
“If I don’t do it myself, it won’t get done right.” Have you ever thought or said this to yourself? Quit that. It’s not going to help, and there’s no way you can effectively take on everything on your own. Give yourself permission to hand over the reins and delegate event planning duties. You might have to train staff first. Provide them with all the tools and insights they need to execute, and then step aside and let them handle it. You might be surprised to find a superstar among your ranks. And you’ll feel less burdened by task-managing every item, as well.
6. Take a Vacation
Vacations exist for a reason. Don’t deny yourself because you’ve simply lost track of time or don’t think you can afford to leave the business. Set a goal for yourself to plan one vacation every year. You don’t have to go exotic or expensive, either. A quality staycation or a few nights’ hotel stay somewhere new can be just the rejuvenation you need. Schedule your vacation and treat it as an event on your calendar. And when you’re officially on vacation, make a conscious effort to be present, not distracted by emails or work-related goings-on.
7. The Ingredients for a Healthy Life
You can’t very well have a healthy and balanced work-life dynamic if you’re not actually practicing good health efforts. With a hectic schedule, it’s easy to drive-thru for a meal. But those unhealthy eating habits can take a toll on your energy level. Not drinking enough water or getting enough exercise can also negatively impact your ability to function and operate at your full, mindful capacity. Pay attention to your habits and look to make subtle improvements to improve your overall health. Eating clean, sleeping better, and taking the stairs can all contribute to a healthier outlook on your work-life balance. It will also mean you can deliver the event planning results your clients expect.
8. Explore New Events as a Guest
Event planners in New York are always looking for new ways to improve their business models and service delivery. One way you can do just that, and have a little fun while you’re at it, is by responding to others’ events as a guest. You’ll get to experience local events from the perspective of an attendee and without the stresses of event management. You’ll also get to meet new people, explore new venues, and get inspired. You’re in the event planning business because you love people and events. Part of your work-life balance can also incorporate both!
Don’t neglect your own self-care and incorporate some of these suggestions to help find your ideal work-life balance. And if you need an event to attend for all the insights and most fun you’ll have all year, you should get your tickets for The Event Planner Expo and 10th Anniversary Celebration now! You’ll be able to work your magic and meet incredible titans of industry to help grow your business. But we’re also celebrating, so you can expect to have tons of fun, too!
