Professional Resilience: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out

Short for time? Scroll to the bottom to discover the key takeaways.

Burnout is a challenge many event professionals face, but it doesn’t have to define your career or organisation. How can you shift from merely managing stress to truly thriving under pressure? Mike Ford, founder of Grateful Lemon, and Bo Krüger, a resilience expert with a background in positive psychology, joined New in Events host Shonali Deveraux to discuss actionable strategies for fostering resilience and redefining how we approach the demands of this dynamic industry.

Here’s how you can take charge of your well-being and performance to deliver exceptional events.

Stress is part of the industry, but it doesn’t have to lead to burnout. Mike Ford explains that burnout is often the result of compounding pressures over time but there are ways to take control before it escalates.

• Recognise early warning signs. Identifying stress patterns allows you to intervene early.
• Cultivate gratitude. This mindset shift, from expectation to appreciation, can ease stress and build a healthier outlook.
• Start with small habits. Mike recommends beginning your day with gratitude and routines like lemon water to promote resilience and set the tone for success.

Take the time to reflect and reframe your relationship with stress - it could be the first step to long-term well-being.

Today’s digital-first workspaces often prioritise responsiveness over results, which can erode focus and productivity. Workplace distractions impact professionals, especially younger generations, however there are ways to build environments that empower deep work.

• Reduce noise - Encourage employees to turn off notifications during key work periods.
• Schedule structured focus times - Initiatives like “Focus Fridays” can give teams the permission and space to concentrate on high-impact tasks.
• Balance performance with well-being - Sustainable habits help professionals maintain both productivity and mental health over the long term.

Shaping work habits with intention can foster a more focused, fulfilled, and high-performing workforce.

Bo Krüger sees adversity not just as a challenge, but as a chance to grow. His experiences - from childhood obstacles to practices like long-distance cycling - have shaped his belief that resilience can be cultivated through intentional effort.

• Adopt the mindset of anti-fragility. Stress doesn’t have to weaken you - if harnessed correctly, it can help you emerge even stronger.
• Learn from setbacks. A culture that embraces experimentation and learning creates opportunities for growth, both individually and organisationally.
• Encourage resilience in teams. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering environments that support rising from challenges.

Adversity is part of life and business, but viewed through the right lens, it can catalyse meaningful progress.

Event professionals know better than most that even the best-laid plans can go sideways. Improvisation, a skill Bo Krüger champions, is a game-changer for anyone navigating the unpredictable nature of event management.

• Use the “yes, and” strategy - Borrowed from improv comedy, this mindset helps event teams maintain creativity and adaptability in the face of challenges.
• See opportunity in the unexpected - An obstacle can be the spark for an innovative solution.
• Build psychological safety within teams - When team members feel safe to problem-solve collaboratively, everyone wins.

Flexibility, creativity, and communication are powerful tools to keep in your back pocket during high-stakes moments.

It’s time to turn the page on burnout and shift toward sustainable performance. This year, make resilience the foundation for your personal and professional growth. By doing so, you’ll not only lead the way for yourself but inspire your entire network to burn bright instead of burning out.

Key takeaways

• Stress Management is key to preventing burnout - recognise early warning signs and cultivate gratitude to build a healthier mindset.
• Create focused work environments by reducing distractions, scheduling structured focus times, and balancing productivity with well-being.
• View adversity as an opportunity - adopt an anti-fragile mindset, learn from setbacks, and foster resilience within teams.
• Leverage improvisation techniques like “yes, and” to adapt creatively and effectively to unpredictable challenges in event management.
• Prioritising resilience leads to sustainable performance, empowering individuals and teams to thrive in high-pressure industries. 

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