Events are usually supposed to be fun – or at least educational or helpful in some way. Unfortunately, planning them can mean a whole lot of pressure. Here are some ways to take the stress off of yourself when you have to plan the next big thing.
Start Early
Stress is made far, far worse by procrastination. Even though some people insist that they do their best work the night before, those same people cannot argue that it’s less stressful. If you struggle with procrastination but don’t want to have the accompanying mental duress, set small and manageable daily goals. Force yourself to work on planning for just fifteen or thirty minutes a day. Once you start, it will be easier to keep going. Making baby steps in the right direction will help you make progress. Having plenty of time to plan will mean lots of time to adjust as problems come up.
Hire Someone to Handle Your Event
There’s always something to be said for saving money. It can be tempting to try and cut corners by doing everything yourself. But frankly, the money you save may not be worth the pressure that it puts on you, depending on your situation. Don’t be afraid to hire a professional if you need to. This might be a partial hiring, where they do a section of planning, or they might be paid more to plan the event entirely. Regardless, you will get a good amount of relief from the process. They can take care of the little things, the details that are easy to overlook. For example, a venue should have the right A/V equipment to conduct your event. Hired help would be able to check without you even having to think about it.
Delegate
You might be planning a wedding for a friend. You might be planning a corporate training. You might just be doing an elementary school fundraiser. Whatever the case, you have people around you who are going to be involved as well. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – help that will most likely be free, although not as encompassing as a hire. Split responsibilities clearly and simply, communicating often and well. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
This event does not need to be perfect – even if it is something emotionally significant, like a wedding or funeral. It’s going to happen one way or another. The best you can do is try wholeheartedly and resist the urge to panic. Plan ahead and trust some others, and it will be great.
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