Gearing Up For A Busy Season [Avoiding Burnout]

I was doing a little research on people's perspectives on burnout and came across this on indeed's blog, "Managing stress surrounding your work life is important for staying productive, motivated and positive at your job. If you manage your stress effectively, you are more likely to avoid burnout, which can affect your well-being and your ability to perform your job duties. It's important to learn how to avoid burnout so you can maintain your mental and physical health and have a successful career. In this article, we discuss what burnout is, what causes burnout, and how to avoid burnout at work." 

After I read that, I thought, well, that sounds nice but when we are working in this business, it sometimes is easier said than done. It is important to keep in mind that they say a wedding is one of the top 3 stresses in a person's life.  If this is true, and I believe it is, we have to keep in mind that it isn't just for the client.  This is a stressful business and we all can be a victim of burnout from time to time, but it doesn't have to be the end of our career.  If we can recognize it and use a few tools to make it through, it can even make us better.  Let's take a closer look at how burnout happens.

Here are some causes to keep in mind:

• Lack of control over your event, vendors, & clients
• Excessive workload
• Unclear goals or expectations
• Lack of support or recognition
• Working in a stressful environment
• Having different values than your clients, vendor, & team

Now, if you're headed into a busy season, or just coming off of one.  You are sure to experience or have experienced some of the above.  That is one of the reasons it is so vital to your frame of mind to stay connected to your support groups. 

It is good to know not only that others have been through the same situations you have but to hear how they came out of it and even overcame to become stronger.

Lack of control over your event, vendors, & clients

If you think about just sheer numbers, of course, the more people you meet and the more people you work with, you are bound to come across people who are difficult to work with. Unfortunately in my career, I have come across more people I don't want to work with than people I do want to work with.  If I take the positive viewpoint, it has made my team of co-works, vendors, and clients much more enjoyable to work with than when I started in the business.  By working with people I would have preferred not to, I was able to pick out character traits and signs that pointed me in a much more positive direction.

Workload

Burnout is sure to happen if you take on too many events in a season, but on the other hand, if you live in an area where you definitely have a wedding season, you may believe you don't have a choice. If this is the case, it is easy to get caught up and feel overwhelmed. Try continually reminding yourself, this is temporary and you will have your downtime.

Unclear goals or expectations

We talk about that a lot here at WSU as well as in the Queen's Court. Often when we have upsetting situations arise it is a clear lack of communication.  The spoken word isn't enough in this business.  You must speak it, follow it up with written communication, and then get a confirmation back that it was understood.  You need to make sure that not only are you stating the expectations but the person you war working with agrees to abide by the expectations.  This includes clients, vendors, and your staff. When an issue arises, consider it as a situation that needs your attention.  How can you avoid this from happening in the future?

Lack of Support and Recognition

This happens often in our business.  We work so closely with someone and in many ways feel like it is our wedding too.  Then when it's over, you may not get a thank you, a review, or even feel as if you got ghosted.  Try to think of it from your client's perspective.  They may have been busy with family and friends in town, whisked away on a quick honeymoon, then back to work.  They may have had good intentions of thanking you and giving you a review, but honestly got caught up in their busy lives.  It is important for us all to do a good job for ourselves and take pride in our own work.  Find a way to give yourself props for a job well done. 

Working in a stressful environment

No doubt, it's the truth, and sometimes just recognizing this can be a big help.  Don't kid yourself.  It is super fun, amazing money, awesome workdays, but yes, it is a stressful career, but we can manage it. Accept it for what it is and then we will know how to tackle it. 

Having different values than your clients, vendor, & team

Okay, so you have a different set of values than most people you may work with.  That is a good thing.  It will set you apart and help you find your tribe! This makes it easier for you to identify those you will want to work with.  This is what it means to find your niche. Realize, not everyone has to think like you, although we all believe the world would be a better place if they did. lol. Stand out be proud to be different. 

Conclusion and Words of Encouragement

Sometimes when we start to feel overwhelmed, stressed out, or even burned out.  We just need to remember, your okay.  You can handle it, you're not crazy, you can get through it.  This thing is not going to defeat you.  You are strong and you are not going to quit! You got this!