We all like learning from successful people. That’s why there are things like MasterClass, professional conferences, and maybe even events themselves! It’s all about finding inspiration.
But what are the people we look up to really saying about success these days? Also what kind of inspiration and motivation can the world’s best entrepreneurs and creators offer the modern event planner? Short answer – It’s all about believing in YOU and the people around you. To explain, these are our favorite quotes to inspire and motivate event planners.
“Tell the story that you’ve been brewing in your head for years. Even if there hasn’t been something, something that you’re passionate about, or something that you’re curious about. You’ve just got to start it.” – Issa rae
Issae Rae, the creator of HBO’s Insecure, cuts right to the core of success: you have to make things you are passionate about.
We’ve all had a few years to look inward and think about the kind of work we want to be doing. We filled up notebooks with new business ideas, or maybe got inspired by books, TV, new friends, and long walks outside.
Now is the time to put all of those random ideas and moments of inspiration to good use. We are at our best when we bring our own personalities and experiences to our work. It’s what makes events original, unique, and human. The way they should be!
There’s no learning without trying lots of ideas and failing lots of times. – Jony Ive
Jonny Ive, Apple designer responsible for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, knows a thing or two about creating successful products.
There is no magic button you can press to create something brilliant. You have to keep trying and trying, and not get bogged down no matter how many times you fail. Get used to ideas not working, because that’s normal, and part of the process.
Event planners are going to fail as much, or more, than anyone. Things you thought would engage the audience are going to flop. The tech that should’ve been awesome will glitch out. A panel is going to end up being a mild disaster. (Sorry if this paragraph stressed you out!)
The important thing to know is that failing is fine. It’s how you react and keep trying that matters.
It will never be perfect, but perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring on live TV. – Tina Fey
Tina Fey, a creative force who needs no introduction, built her career on writing for and starring on SNL, one of the most successful and long-running live events of all time.
It’s natural to want to make every project perfect in every way. The problem with that is with endless time you will always find some little way to make it better. Not only that, those little imperfections are what can add levity and make an event more memorable.
Event planners need to accept that perfect isn’t the goal. The goal is to create a fun, interesting, and engaging event. People will forgive any mishaps when they are having a good time!
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi
We have to admit we don’t know much about Francis of Assisi, the 12th-century mystic, but there’s something comforting about knowing people were procrastinating almost 1000 years ago.
It’s easy to feel bogged down when it seems like there is too much to do, or that we aren’t sure how to do our tasks. Then we procrastinate, and the tasks feel bigger. It’s not a fun cycle.
The good thing is that there’s a solution. You just have to do what’s necessary first.
Simply by starting, and doing your most essential tasks, you’ll boost your confidence and feel ready to tackle more and more work.
For event planners that are feeling procrastination around the corner – just remember that if you start with what you really have to get done, after that, the possibilities are endless.
“I’m not a businessman — I’m a business, man.” – Jay-Z
Jay-Z, rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur, created his success by developing a clear and engaging personal brand (long before it was the cool thing for everyone to do).
This may sound like a promotion for influencer culture, but the real lesson here is that Jay-Z is successful because he has a personal connection to all of his business ventures.
Success isn’t about endorsing things and taking whatever advertiser or sponsor deal you can get. You need to sell things that are good, that you are passionate about, and you need to be a part of the process completely.
For organizers that are trying to partner with brands or vendors for your event, use your gut to decide what’s actually good. What will people buy? What do you really want to put your name or brand on? That’s what makes a good business.
“Perhaps the seeds of redemption lay not just in perseverance, hard work, and rugged individualism. Perhaps they lay in something more fundamental — the simple notion of everyone pitching in and pulling together.” – (Daniel James Brown, The Boys in the Boat)
Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat documents the 1936 US Olympic Men’s 8+ (that’s an 8-person rowing boat plus coxswain), and their gold medal at Berlin Olympics.
It’s a story about athletes pushing themselves harder than they ever had, simply because they knew someone would be there to pick up the slack if they got tired. Their belief in each other gave them more confidence, and that’s what pushed the whole boat to win.
It’s easy for event planners to get caught up focusing on only their own tasks, but the real success comes from being there to help out your teammates. Let people know that you’re there to jump in on a call, check in with a speaker, or do anything else that needs to get done.
Event planning is never easy. There are lots of ups and downs and late nights. But when everyone is in it together, you can accomplish more than you thought was possible.
“When you’re not concerned with succeeding, you can work with complete freedom.” – Larry David
Larry David, creator of Seinfield and Curb Your Enthusiasm knows how to be in the right mind place for success.
It may seem counterintuitive, but you can’t do good work if you are constantly worried if it’s going to be good or successful. There just isn’t enough room in the head for all that. You’ve got to simply focus on doing the work.
So much of organizing events is about success. There’s attendee engagement, ticket sales, ROIs, metrics, charts, and data everywhere! We’re constantly focused on the end result when we really need to be working on the process.
Try letting go of your success worries when planning. Instead, just think about making an awesome event.
Above all, you’ve got to believe in YOU!
The best inspiration always happens when you believe in YOU and the people around you.
Issa Rae, Jay-Z, and Larry David would all suggest that you have to just trust your gut, and do things that you really are passionate about. Jony Ive and Tina Fey would say that there’s no time for worrying about failure. And most importantly, if you support your teammates, they’ll support you back and help boost your confidence. So in the end, you and the people around you are the inspiration you need most!
