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The results are in, Trump is the next President of the United States and the 2016 election have left a country divided and in shock.
So, what happens now?
First, deep breath.
repeat after me:
you are going to be okay. you are going to be okay. you are going to be okay.
We know first hand that event planners like to be in control of everything – let’s be honest – we’re control freaks…the unprecedented shock, uncertainty and anxiety is shared by all of us.
I hear you, I feel you and and I’m right there with you.
However, it’s crucial that we don’t let these feelings overwhelm us and in turn, negatively impact our businesses.
Our UK team at The Simplifiers went through a very similar experience following the UK’s Brexit vote to leave the EU earlier this year. Eerily, what you’re feeling right now is very much what was felt all over England last June. Shock, fear, the whole nine.
Put the kettle on because by golly, everything got INTENSE real quick.
But thankfully in that, we learned some important lessons and have drawn up a plan to keep you and your business moving forward…today, this week and the coming months ahead…
1) Keep Calm and Carry On.
The British folk embody this. If you do nothing else today, please do this…take care of yourself.
take things back to basics these next 24-48 hours:
- Drink water.
- Be kind to your co-workers and to yourself.
- Feed your team with healthy food and snacks.
- Create some breathing room.
- Be flexible – if people need space to process and feel the feels, give it to them.
Your team is looking to you as their leader, their mentor.
How you react to all of this will permeate throughout all aspects of your company. It’s a ripple effect and you need to make sure their productivity and your working relationships stay on track. Be gentle…to yourself and to others.
2) Focus on the NOW
We can’t predict what the future may or not hold for us and our businesses. Give yourself permission to feel it and temporarily freak out to get it out of your system. But don’t waste your energy worrying and thinking about the “what ifs”.
Focus on the now. The future is an idea, the past is an idea. The NOW is what’s most important.
Your clients may be just as worried as you.
Instead of reflecting their uncertainty and fear, be a beacon of hope. Call or email them today. Reach out, say hello. Help reassure them that everything is going to be okay and inspire confidence by focusing on what you can do to simplify their lives as their event professional.
3) How to #GSD Today
I’m willing to bet you were up late last night and early this morning on social media. Constantly checking social media and looking for updates is going to keep your mind focused on the election…but you still need to Get Sh*t Done today at work. You still have events to plan and deliver. Budgets to create, timelines to plan, staff to coordinate.
The Simplifiers use the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused on the task at hand. It’s simple.
Shut down all unnecessary windows (especially social media accounts!) and spend 25 minutes on one task and one task only.
Then take a 5 minute break. Up, out of your seat, make a cup of coffee and stretch.
Then rinse, repeat, back at it again.
4) Make Today Strictly Business
As tempting as it may be, try to separate politics from your business. You’re understandably affected by the results of the election, no matter how you voted today, but don’t let it reflect in your business.
Don’t forget that this vote has divided the nation and the likelihood is high that it has also divided your clientele and vendors. The last thing you want to do is drive away potential new customers or damage vendor relationships by offending them with your political views. For now, keep this off your business blogs. Keep it separate.
Everything is super raw and emotional right now…no matter where you stand politically.
You’re absolutely right to have your own views on the result of the election and it’s fine to voice them, just not through your business. Not yet.
5) Prepare for Tomorrow
Despite being in the dark about how the result will affect the events industry in the coming months, we can still prepare our businesses to weather the impending storm on the operations side. No time like the present to be a bit more careful on spending….at least, until we know how all of this will shake out?
QUESTION: do you have at least 3-6 months reserve put away to cover your company’s overhead expenses? If no, what small bit can you save today?
Be kind to yourself today.
Take some time for yourself, if you can. Call someone (whether it’s one of your brides or one of your vendors) and tell them how much you appreciate them.
Lead with LOVE today…especially through all the murkiness and uncertainty today.
Everything will be okay, eventually.
Mary Baird-Wilcock, CSEP
CEO | Senior Event Planner | Mentor
The Simplifiers
PS> if you need someone to talk to today, please reach out. I’m here for you.