By EDGE Woman Speaker and High-Performance Through Neuroscience Thought Leader, Debbie Vyskocil
The first live event I spoke at after the world began to open up was glorious!
The backdrop of the stage was Lake Michigan, the audience was on spaced blankets, the sun was shining and everyone was as excited to be there as I was. Imagine a stage designed with silks draped overhead creating an elegant shaded stage in front of that amazing background.
You know how many variables there are for outdoor events and now covid protocols are in the mix. The organizers were ready for anything: suntan spray, umbrellas, blankets, extra N95 masks, a variety of liquids and refreshing snacks between every couple of speakers.
By my second live event, two weeks later, the CDC had revised guidelines. The event was held in a resort ballroom with attendees spaced out at large round tables, no masks were worn.
At no time in history have we had to be more flexible, considerate of such a range of attendee emotions or thoughtful of more variables.
What are you comfortable with? As meeting professionals, your foremost thought is of clients as you plan upcoming events, but when you need to be present are you taking your feelings into consideration? We are all in different comfort levels with being mask-less, shaking hands or even hugging.
We don’t know where other people are physically or mentally right now. They may have a loved one at home who cannot be vaccinated because of a health condition. As always we need to be compassionate toward others and thoughtful of what they might be going through.
How can you also be compassionate to yourself? If you are uncomfortable without a mask, wear one. If you are apprehensive about shaking hands, don’t.
My most requested keynote in 2021 is “Increase Your Performance Through Self-compassion”. It is a message event and meeting professionals also need to take to heart. It is going to take a while for us to all get on the same page again. Use your comfort level as your guide.
The holiday weekend is approaching quickly, allow yourself to be flexible and kind to yourself. Try one of these ideas you would offer others…
sleep in all three mornings
listen to fun podcasts one afternoon
let your family clean up after the barbeque without guilt
put your feet up and just listen to the water roll onto the rocks
for 4 hours no checking email
enjoy ice cream while “ooh”ing at fireworks
The planner inside you deserves it!
EDGE Women Speakers are dynamic, expert speakers who partner with event planners to provide exceptional service online as well as offline. From keynote sessions to intimate workshops, EDGE speaks on topics that range from mastering the complexity of change, resiliency and creativity to parliamentary procedure and board development. Entertaining and educating audiences worldwide, EDGE speakers convert interested listeners into enthusiastic participants – whether in-person or virtually.
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