There cannot be any argument that this pandemic has hit us like a bolt from the blue, it is really mind-puzzling when the equations and situations change in no time. However, on the flip side, every crisis is an opportunity in disguise. All you need is self-awareness and self-belief to overcome the professional challenges which have become more exaggerated due to this unrelenting pandemic. Digitalization of the processes, search for technologically viable solutions, upgraded automations, directing the workforce to work remotely have become the buzzwords and new realities in a short span from the last 8-9 months.

Responding  to the demand of the hour, every business is hard-pressed to achieve the uninterrupted continuity in their processes and operations. Similarly, the global exhibition industry has been busy keeping the events (meetings, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, trade fairs) going. The kind of traction ‘Virtual and Hybrid’ platforms have gained is a testimony of these efforts, although more needs to be done to generate the ‘sufficient’ revenues. There is no price for guessing, that event professionals must also ‘up’ their game and re-define their objectives. High pressures, crushing delivery timelines, job security concerns, and the resultant mental exhaustion &  deflating morales are visible threats.

The Event Industry is considered to be one of the most taxing among the others, so it is expected that all those associated with it must exude the energy and stamina to cope up with the last-minute juggling that goes behind staging any event. In this article, we share a few selected tips and techniques for event profs with an aim to get them out of that dreaded ‘fire-fighting’ mode. These tips, of course, are not silver-bullets  but if followed properly they do possess the potential to usher in some discernible work-life balance.

"Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems." Gever Tully

• Avoid attending to work related emails and messages as the ‘first’ task in the morning; study shows that this habit may disrupt or muddle your entire day’s schedule.
• Do not sit staring at your pc/laptop screen and pressing the keys for hours at stretch. Take a break after every 2 hours, walk-around a bit and get yourself something to drink( tea/coffee) in order to have an re-energising and refreshing effect on you.
• Plan your day’s work schedule while taking a jog or walk in the morning, make mental notes of the tasks in order of their respective priorities.
• Get proper sleep of at least 6-8 hours daily, do not allow your mind to get into the trap whereby working from home is considered to be less hectic compared to working from your office cubicle. Sleep deprivation causes irreparable damage on both physical and psychological fronts.
• Go for mindful and relaxation activities. Yoga, meditation, chanting, etc, have time-proven effectiveness to gain  the calmness and serenity of an individual’s mind.
• Take time  to read books on the subjects you find interesting, just keep them handy around your work desk, or wherever you have easier access. Goodreads, Kindle, Booktube, podcasts, etc. offer plenty of options.
• Make travel plans with your family to your favorite destinations with a belief that these restrictions will be lifted sooner than later
• Engage in those activities which were lying unattended in your bucket list due to the paucity of time. Cooking, gardening, painting, writing or anything which may divert your thoughts for sometime from unnerving happenings and news around you.
• Never shut-out yourself from people close to you, talk and discuss your problems with family and friends. Or seek professional help from counselors and life coaches if you think that the situation is getting too complicated  for you to get hold of.
• Use this opportunity to reskill and upskill yourself. Future is unpredictable-as shown by this pandemic-only those have a chance to survive who are prepared in advance.
• Equally important is not to allow any communication gap or break-down with your managers/supervisors. Honesty and transparency are the keys here. If you hesitate to present your issues be it personal (for e.g.. child care, ageing or ill parents, spouse, job loss, etc.) or professional (not getting the space to express in virtual or zoom meetings, mixed signals from HR regarding job security, toxic colleagues, etc.) then solutions will tend to escape you.

There can never be ‘one-size-fits-all’, every professional has his/her set of challenges. The times we currently find ourselves in are extraordinary, a fresh new approach and perspective will win the day.