If you work in events how do you not get stressed?

[C1239]

If your job regularly involves events how do you manage to stay calm and not get stressed pre event?!

I always just think you do what you can do. People will have a better time with a friendly (unflappable is how I'm described) person running the event than someone who is stressed. Also if you're stressed you miss things. Create a list, follow it, make sure your team is on the same page.

Thank you @Badbudgeter , I’m feeling really stressed about an event in a couple months time and struggling to not let it get to me!

I plan for problems, so what if x breaks, what if y doesnt show up etc

All ahead of time, and then I plan for what if something happens that I didnt plan for..

I walk around the event in my minds eye as if I was experiencing it or working at it. It helps with where will x plug in, what will contain a and b items so they arent rolling all over the place. How do I stop people walking off with the pens (so the following people still have something to write with

lots of lists

eat a big breakfast on the day and pack water and snacks for yourself, a hangry event organizer is a disaster

keep your emergency kits and back up supplies close, but out of sight. You dont want people grabbing them or thinking ‘is she planning for Armageddon’. But you do want to be able to just grab the gaffer tape/safety pin/extension cord/charging cable/rubbish bin quickly

only do this job if you can think on your feet, and go calm when it all starts going crazy

How involved are you in running it? I feel less stressed about events I am mainly responsible for than ones I help others with, I think because of feeling more in control.

Sometimes it helps me to think of the bits which are worrying me most and talk them over with someone else. And also remembering that something unforeseen pretty much always happens but you deal with it!

I’m quite involved in running in but it’s really stressing me out! It’s a two week period of events on and off and I don’t know how I ll make it through without being absolutely exhausted! Any tips?!

Honestly? The calmness, that’s all a front! Underneath I’m stressing like hell! I think if I’m presenting a calm, positive, organised demeanour others will take their cue from me and all will run well. Lists, lists and more lists are your friend. Prep for as many eventualities as you can imagine. Ask a colleague to walk through the plans with you - they might be able to spot something you’ve missed.

Make a list. List every single thing that needs to happen. Even stupid stuff like telling people how to get somewhere. You can never overcommunicate when it comes to events. Try to think ahead, so you don't get caught out. Put deadlines and key milestones in your calendar. Then accept that you will miss something and that will be the one thing everyone remembers every time you have an event (I speak from bitter experience). I hate events.

Agree with advice from @MissDollyMix and @FoolsOld - also, if you can, make the rest of your life as stress-free as possible for the period when you are busiest. Order takeaway or prep meals, get your significant other to handle domestic stuff, turn down invites to stuff. Having as little else to do as possible can really help you focus. And book some time off afterwards to get back to yourself!

Lists, planning, checking, checking again. Flat shoes.

@SeaToSki

only do this job if you can think on your feet, and go calm when it all starts going crazy

This is a good events manager (probably surrounded by total stress heads who want to work "in events' but if they're honest really should be doing something else)