The seventh in a series by Stress Matters, who have been asking those across the events industry – how are you doing?
Sarah Yeats, managing director of Sledge, on staying positive.
I have been in the industry for probably about 17 years, start to finish. I started in the world of catering and have loved it from there on in.
I’m doing okay, a bit strange, still uncertain. I think the second lockdown had me less worried. I feel this time, industry wise, people are still moving whereas last time it was a real step-change. It was just a sudden stop as everyone was just trying to process things. It just went very quiet very quickly.
Now, we’re still going which helps you continue to feel positive, thinking hopefully, things will get better sooner than later.
For me, it’s been a bit of time for me to reassess who I am and what I want to do in my life. What am I focused on? Often, you can get a bit carried away with work, and it’s good to think about what is important. I think it’s been super hard as a planner, to not be able to plan!
It isn’t just about being able to plan. When you’ve got a team of people as well, that are looking to you for answers, and you can’t really give them any, that’s hard. You want to keep people really encouraged and say that it’s going to be okay, but actually, I don’t know that it is going to be okay.
If you would like to share your story, please visit www.stressmatters.org.uk/pandemic-stories for more information.
We’ve been lucky that we’ve been able to work in an online world. We were set up for this so it’s been positive in that sense, so it’s not been a scary transition, because we’ve done it before. But, it is also about getting your clients on board, and getting their confidence up. Doing that has been really tough, because it’s a whole new world to them as well, and they’re not all sure they want to go virtual. But it has been a great excuse to just be able to speak to clients, and check in to see how they’re doing.
I always knew I am a people person but I’ve probably learnt that I’m not that great on my own and get bored easily. So, it’s been a great excuse to get to know the people you work with, really get to know them. We all really care for each other, and we’re all trying to do the same thing. I’ve really sensed people’s passion for this job and industry.
I go running now more than I used to, three to four times a week, normally in the morning, the fresh air helps me feel good. I’m also a big fiction reader. But aside from that, I don’t have much sense of self-care routine. I just try to not panic, and take each day at a time.
I’m excited how it might change the event world for the better. Clients that have maybe done similar events before will hopefully be open to more new ideas. It is super hard as a planner to not think too far ahead, but it’s going to change, so I just have to remind myself that it’s going to be okay. I don’t always know how, but I know it will be. One of my biggest learnings this year has to be brave.
If you would like to share your story, please visit www.stressmatters.org.uk/pandemic-stories for more information.
