Stress Management Tips for Wedding Professionals
Busy season brings last-minute changes, demanding clients, and the occasional self-induced stress from procrastination. It can feel like treading water and trying to stay afloat. But fear not, I’m sharing my life raft and a few stress management tips for wedding professionals that helped me survive 13 Octobers as a wedding planner. Shall we dive in? (pun intended)
Tip 1: Find rhythm and routine in your to-do list
But first, hear me on this: Struggling to juggle all the balls at once doesn't make you incompetent, unmotivated, or unsuccessful. Cut yourself some slack, then focus on aligning your priorities.
Two ways I do this personally:
1: Prioritizing my daily tasks that night before with a big “This will get done today” star and then blocking those tasks into my day. More on that below.
2: I start 95% of my mornings with a relaxing 20-30 minute walk which keeps me sane, allows me to mentally prepare for whatever is on my calendar that day, lowers my cortisol level, and gives me a great dopamine rush of “I did that!” to start off the day.
Right now, your life might feel like a tsunami of emotions and logistics, but a well-crafted routine can be one of the life vests that keep you afloat. Set a daily schedule that works for you, and stick to it as much as possible.
Whether it's dedicating a specific time for emails, certain days for client meetings, or even a walk around the block with your favorite tunes playing in your earbuds, there is immense power in simple routines that provide structure and reduce decision fatigue.
Tip 2: Time blocking for balance
If you’ve been in my Universe for the last few years, you’ve likely heard me rave about time blocking. Time blocking is a powerful tool and it can absolutely transform your schedule, but you have to figure out how to make it work for you. With that said, here are a few ways I use time blocking and you’re welcome to try or tweak any of my strategies for yourself.
1. Prioritize! As I mentioned above, I always start by adding a star next to my non-negotiable tasks on my to-do list and then I prioritize blocking those into my day. Those have to get done, so I add ample time to do them. Anything else on my plate gets scheduled around them.
2. Make it a game! I give it a twist to make it more FUN! Ever find yourself with 15 minutes between client calls? Use that time to see how many “5 minute or less” to-do items you can check off with the time you’d usually find yourself mindlessly scrolling on social media. It's like a real-life game to try and see what you can get done when time is ticking away! Whether it's rescheduling a doctor's appointment or RSVPing to that networking event, these small wins can boost your mood, reduce those pesky to-dos, and definitely add to your productivity.
3. Buffer! I add buffers to my day! In the fast-paced wedding world, things can change faster than the drunk uncle can steal the mic after reception speeches. That's why it's essential to buffer time for the unexpected.
Tip 3: Leave room to be human
Remember, there are things you can control, and there are things you can't. Somedays you’re going to be extremely productive, and other days you are going to struggle to check even the easiest things off because you’re human.
On those days, hit pause and make sure you have a biz bestie you can text to lean on for some moral support. A good business bestie can provide the laugh and stress relief you need. Looking for your own biz bestie or want to be one of mine? Join the free Weddings For Real Facebook group to connect with 3,300+ wedding pros (including me!) right now.
So, take a deep breath. You’re going to be proud of all you accomplish when your season slows down. You've got the experience, the passion, and now, a few stress-busting tips to make your journey smoother.
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