Last month, we said how teachers across the land were breathing a collective sigh of relief as they began their summer holiday break. And while that break was well deserved, I’ll bet you all the tea in China that every single one of them had a little voice in the back of their head counting down the days until they had to return to school. And, the closer the new academic year got, the louder that voice grew until it was all they could think about and their anxiety levels were off the scale.
What a great frame of mind to be going back to work in!
Well, teachers; you have my sympathies, because that’s not too dissimilar to what we in the corporate events management industry experience. September marks the beginning of the silly season for us. After the relative calm (or complete inactivity) of August, the industry suddenly springs back to life with a vengeance, leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed and underprepared.
Which is why I wanted to share some of the feelings I’ve had in Septembers-gone by; to try and help others in the industry understand that they aren’t alone in feeling this way, and to give you a few tips on how I try to combat them.
The Shock to the System
August can move at a glacial pace, to the point where it can feel like time is running backwards. And, while many of us appreciate the opportunity to recharge and resume some form of normality in our lives, returning to work can be a massive shock to the system.
If I can go back to the teacher example for a moment, when new Year 7 students go to high school for the first time, it’s often just their year group going in for half a day. The rest of the school comes back a day or two later, giving the newbies a chance to adjust and bed in without feeling completely overwhelmed.
There’s no such luxury with corporate events.
No sooner have you gotten used to not setting an alarm, having spur-of-the-moment pub lunches, and watching Netflix until your eyes fall out, then you’re back to a full calendar of projects, tight deadlines, long hours, and potentially working away from home with a bunch of strangers. It’s enough to make even the most experienced of us lose our heads.
The Return of the Office Commute
For 6 weeks of the year between August and September, the UK roads are a bit quieter, and some small unspoken spark of gratitude is kindled inside of you. The same can be said for buses, trains, undergrounds, and trams – they’re all that little bit quieter during commuting times, and it’s glorious.
Come September, however, that spark has water poured on it, and its ashes stamped on and buried for good measure. Road rage spikes, fuel consumption increases as you inch along, and you can easily add another half an hour each way to your journey. Meanwhile, for public transport commuters, you can look forward to the joys of your ride being delayed or not turning up altogether, being wedged under someone’s unwashed armpit in the commuter crush, and being sat in wet clothes all day if it rains.
Apart from commuting costing a fortune and eating into your work-life balance, many people also struggle with the sudden onset of being surrounded by so many people again, especially after the relative freedom of the summer months. Is it any wonder that we dread going back to work?
The Pressure to Perform
As the industry ramps up again, there’s enormous pressure to perform. Clients expect events (and you, by extension) to be bigger, better, and more innovative than ever before. It’s like being thrown into shark-infested waters when you’ve never had so much as a swimming lesson.
And because freelance corporate event workers are people pleasers, they want to meet and surpass these high expectations, even if it means their own mental and physical health suffering. Before you know it, you’re burned out trying to juggle an impossible workload – and you’ve only been back a week. Come back, Glacial August, all is forgiven!
The Balancing Act
Remember back in August when you didn’t have to jump through multiple hoops every day? Not a care in the world? No? I’m not surprised. You know that feeling you have when you come back from a magical holiday and your first day back at work is always the worst day of your life? Sigh, this time last week I was sipping a Margherita out of a coconut on a white sandy beach. Now, I’m taking the bins out in Bradford.
Welcome to September in corporate events.
September is often about hitting the ground running and juggling multiple projects at once. Getting your head back in the game can be a huge challenge, especially for those trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s important to prioritise tasks, delegate when possible, and set realistic expectations for yourself, but it’s also perfectly normal (and reasonable) to lament your lost downtime while you do them.
The Fear of Burnout
The relentless pace of September can quickly lead to burnout, and that downtime you had in August might just as well not have happened at all. I know how hard it is to turn work down when you’ve probably had little-to-nothing coming in for the past 6 weeks, but remember that you went freelance for a reason; to choose the work you take on and the work you turn away.
If, however, turning down work just isn’t an option, then it’s essential to take regular breaks, get enough sleep, and engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. Easier said than done, I know, but you should never compromise your mental and physical health for work. Here are a few tips and tricks for surviving exhaustion in corporate event management.
Tips for Surviving the September Scramble
So, what do I do to try and offset all this negativity? To be truthful, I can’t erase it altogether – that’s not how these things work – but here’s what I do to try and at least take the sting out of it:
Plan Ahead: As soon as possible, I start planning my workload and setting realistic deadlines. This helps me stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Prioritising Tasks: Many people “eat the frog”, but I just focus on the most important tasks first and I’m not afraid to delegate or outsource if necessary.
Take Breaks: I schedule regular breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout. Even a short walk or a few minutes away from a screen can help you stay focused and refreshed.
Communicate Effectively: I maintain open and honest communication with my clients and colleagues. This helps me manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
Set Boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries and avoid overworking. I try to say no to projects that are too demanding or don’t align with my goals. (Confession time: I’m still terrible at this one, but I’m a work in progress).
Seek Support: I’m not afraid to reach out to friends, family, or colleagues for support. Talking to someone about your challenges can help you feel less stressed and find solutions.
Book Another Holiday: They always say that “the best way to get over a holiday is to book another one” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to have something to look forward to other than work, so having another holiday booked with a tangible date to focus on really helps.
Summer Has Come and Passed…
The September scramble can be a daunting time for corporate event freelancers. But, if you try to plan ahead, prioritise your tasks, and don’t disregard your own health for the sake of making money, you can get through this busy period (relatively) unscathed.
I try to remember that this industry is brutally hard sometimes, but I love what I do. And if you’re freelancing in corporate event management, then I think you probably feel the same way.
That being said, I think Green Day had the right idea:
“Wake Me Up When September Ends.”
If you’d like to be a part of Maverick Event Show Crew on a freelance basis, send your CV to jill@maverickesc.com.
