EMPATHY BURNOUT It's nearly the end of 2023 and I don't know about you, but I feel over it. There, I said it! A year that was fuelled with the optimism of a new beginning has so quickly taken its toll, especially if you're an event planner whose resources are stretched. When I was introduced to the term �empathy burnout,’ all my feelings started to make sense. When you are both a people person and a manager of people, you find yourself always �on’. Yes, it’s the requirement of being a great event planner but it’s also exhausting and can quickly deplete your resources. So, how do you recognise the signs of empathy burnout? When I look back on my time running No.4 in Robe, South Australia much of my day was fuelled by half drunk cups of tea, grabbing a slice of cheese from the kitchen and an unhealthy dose of adrenaline. Today, empathy burnout is still something I manage. While I do not have the cure, I am aware of the tell-tale signs to look for and the actions I can take each day to fill my cup. We cannot fill the cup of others, including those within our teams, if we ourselves are completely empty. The idea of self-care has become a trend over the past twelve months but it’s so much more than social media gives it credit for. It reignites your passion for your work, gives you the energy to inspire your team and the breathing space to just ‘be’ because let’s face it, we didn’t choose an industry that leaves us feeling cool, calm and collected at the end of each day. If you’re lucky enough to be attending AIME next year, remember that time is for YOU. Breathe, take it all in, fill up that cup and most importantly enjoy yourself. As the flagship tradeshow for our industry, it’s the perfect first step in a new year dedicated to managing burnout and investing in your self-care. Michelle Dawson, AIME Marketing Manager talks Michelle has more than 20 years’ experience working across events, tourism and marketing in the USA, UK and Australia. Her career spans hosting events for Fortune 500 companies, developing the tourism and marketing portfolio at the City of Yarra and opening a restaurant and event space in Robe, South Australia. Today, Michelle works with artisan producers, food and wine venues and tourism/ events operators across Australia to improve their reach and make their mark on the world. Michelle understands event planning and the resilience required to be successful. Ahead of AIME 2023, she shares her thoughts on �burnout,’ a concept with which much of the business events industry is all too familiar! MICHELLE’S ACTIONS TO FILL HER CUP • Dedicated 15 minutes each morning to meditation • Regularly checking-in with myself during the day • Shutting down my laptop to play with my dog, and being present during it • Enjoying a cup of tea in the sun. Yes, I know I live in Melbourne, but we do occasionally have sun! • Structuring my week to include time-out for 'doing nothing’. This is the hardest one of all! • Making time each week to invest in learning and growth • Turning off social media and the online noise • Leaving my phone out of the bedroom at night A IME PR EV I EW] Michelle Dawson meeting newz [nov dec] 2022 [37]
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