On planning events...
Things I learned after organizing the company’s Summer Camp:
1. I can never work for an events company. I’ll die of fatigue.
Planning events is a laborious and detail-oriented job. It takes a lot of coordination, management, foresight, and quick-thinking. One thing I learned about events back in college is that something will definitely go wrong at the last minute even if you plan things thoroughly. In short, kung ‘di ka sanay sa ngaragan, then forget events.
Aside from that, there’s the physical stress from always being on the go. You have to run here and there in order to accommodate everyone, and make sure that everything is going according to plan. There’s barely any time to rest. Then, the mental stress from thinking and re-thinking plans (and counting and re-counting money, in my case). Then the emotional stress brought by the things that cause delays and sudden change in plans.
These reinforced what I learned in law school: I can handle emotional stress; I can handle physical stress; I can handle mental stress; But, I cannot handle physical, mental, and emotional stress.
2. Being stingy has great advantages if you are handling the money.
3. If you’re the one facilitating the event, you should never look tired or stressed. The event is for the participants to enjoy. Seeing a tired or stressed facilitator does not help achieve that.
4. It pays to work with a team, and as a team.
5. Connections are great sources of information. ;)
…To be continued
