Venues are buzzing with activity these days. Major League Baseball players are back on the fields, the NCAA Tournament is entering the Final Four, the NHL and NBA begin playoffs later this month, 2024 concert tours are crisscrossing the country and the globe, UEFA EURO 2024 kicks off in Germany in June, and performing arts fans are taking in shows nightly. It’s a busy spring, indeed, and ticketing professionals continue to be the magic behind the button.
But spring is not just a lively season of events and blooming flowers. It is also an opportunity to prioritize your well-being amidst the hustle and bustle of a career in entertainment ticketing.
Bruce Mayhew
“It’s spring, and it feels amazing. It may also mean that you are becoming overwhelmed by your spring rush at work, or perhaps you are still trying to catch up from tasks that piled up during your spring-break-related vacation. Or maybe you feel stressed because you are not sleeping well and waking up tired and uncomfortable,” Bruce Mayhew, a professional development trainer and executive coach who has traveled from Toronto to share his expertise at numerous INTIX conferences, says. “Instead of getting more worked up, this may be the best time to practice some simple self-care. Researcher and author Brené Brown may say it best when she writes, ‘We can’t practice compassion with other people if we can’t treat ourselves kindly.’”
Mayhew continues, “At times like those mentioned above, it is easy to be frustrated, short-tempered and stressed, clearly not at our best. And while for a fleeting moment, it may feel great to treat ourselves kindly by putting ourselves on an overcaffeinated sugary roller coaster with a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato and a chicken and bacon sandwich (because we are worth at least that — right?), deep down we know it isn’t going to help.”
So, with the excitement of live events all around us, what can ticket professionals do to prioritize their personal and professional wellness? Here are 10 tips to help you thrive and feel your best.
- Start your day off right. I have to admit, the first thing I thought about today was a caramel macchiato. And while many of us like to start the day off with a treat, Mayhew suggests a slightly different approach.
“As my friend and self-care author Rita K. Garnto writes, ‘One new thing. One little thing. That’s all it takes to shift your life.’ So, taking Rita’s advice, what if, when you wake up feeling tired, frustrated and stressed, you decide you are going to intentionally make today as good as you can. For example, you treat yourself to one extra minute in the shower, loving the feeling of the hot water. You put on your favorite, most comfortable shirt or blouse. While having your morning coffee at home, you take two minutes to also make a healthy fruit and yogurt-filled shake or get one on your way to work. And when you get to work, before you even turn on your computer, you walk around the office and say hello to everyone, not even mentioning your bad night’s sleep.”
- Make rest and sleep a priority. If you are not sleeping well or getting enough downtime, commit to changing that however you can.
According to the Mayo Clinic, adults should aim for seven or more hours of quality shut-eye each night. There are other factors to consider, too. For example, if you are sleep-deprived after many long event days, your body may need even more zzzz’s to recharge.
Try to establish a consistent sleep schedule when you can and create a relaxing bedtime routine. Different things work for different people, but some ideas include soft lighting, reading, turning off your phone an hour before bed, taking a hot bath, or using a sleep-calming lavender pillow mist. It is also important to ensure your team members get enough rest between events to remain energized and avoid burnout.
“I highly recommend soaking in the bathtub with your iPad watching Netflix,” Tracy Noll, Director of Sales and Development Services at Pennsylvania State University, says about self-care. “The kids won’t come in and get you. Get an hour to yourself, just soaking in the tub.”
- Get moving. I wrote those words and immediately started singing, “I like to move it, move it … I like to move it, move it” from the hit film and musical “Madagascar.” It made me want to get up and dance!
Regardless of how you move it, move it (I can’t help myself sometimes!), find a way to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Doing something you enjoy makes it way more fun, too. Think dancing, walking, yoga, sports, strength training, biking, cartwheeling or whatever moves you.
Don’t forget to promote regular physical activity breaks throughout the day with your ticketing team. If you set an example and stay active, your staff will follow your lead. This can boost morale and keep everyone feeling energized on long event days.
- Eat well and stay hydrated. You know the saying, eat, drink and be merry? It can apply to your wellness. Focus on nourishing foods and explore new recipes. When you grab lunch or dinner, make a healthy choice. Ditto if you are bringing in food for your team. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink lots throughout the day. If your venue has hydrating stations, consider walking there whenever you need a refill. That’s a great way to combine physical activity and a break with the water your body needs. Remind staff and attendees to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, too, especially during outdoor events in warmer weather. When you eat well and get enough water, you’ll just feel better.
- Find inner peace. Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing exercises and time spent in nature can reduce stress and chaos in your life. Positive thinking can help change your mindset. Make time for the practices and methods that work for you. Offering mindfulness workshops and programs that enhance well-being in the workplace can be helpful for your team.
“Springtime brings up the idea of spring cleaning, a time when we go through our closets and get rid of the stuff that no longer serves us, like old clothes that no longer fit or make us feel good,” Kay Burnham, who founded Perceiving Possibilities after a decades-long career on the administrative side of the entertainment industry, says. “Apply the same principle this time of year to your thoughts and beliefs. Examine what you are thinking and be honest about whether it is serving your best life. If it isn’t, work to change your thoughts and beliefs to ones that make you feel energized and motivated throughout your life. The benefits of a mindset shift are immediate and significant.”
- Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. It always helps to stop and remember the good things in your life. Some may write in a gratitude journal every morning to keep the things they are thankful for top of mind. Others may reach out randomly to someone in their life to thank them for their kindness, being a mentor, or just because.
“Practice gratitude,” Karen Sullivan, a Senior Consultant for FutureTix, says. “When I find myself complaining, I try to remember to be grateful for something good in my life. There is a lot more good than bad around.”
Professionally, you can incorporate gratitude into team meetings and employee recognition programs. This fosters a positive workplace culture. Thank your ticketing team for their hard work and dedication, as the show can’t go on without them. Acknowledge their contributions regularly and openly.
- Connect with others and create community. Entertainment brings people together unlike anything else. Channel the energy from the live events around you to nurture meaningful relationships with friends, family, peers and community. You may go to a concert together and hug it out when the band plays your favorite song or high-five everyone around you as the rookie knocks a home run out of the park. Go for coffee. Take a walk. Talk. Share your feelings. Whatever you do, you’ll feel closer to the people around you if you connect with them genuinely and regularly.
Team-building activities for your staff can also foster a sense of camaraderie. Whether it’s a workplace lunch or social events outside of work hours, creating a supportive community within your ticketing team can increase job satisfaction.
- Set boundaries. Establish healthy boundaries to protect your personal time and energy. It is OK to say no if you do not have time or do not want to do something.
Professionally, ensure open communication within your team so everyone feels supported in setting and respecting boundaries. Also, promote life-work balance and lead by example, especially when it comes to taking breaks and time off.
“A lot of us look at life-work balance and think, ‘but I need to support others. I need to be there for others,’ so that's a priority for me. If your cup is not full on its own, you have nothing to give others,” Burnham says, adding that she loves the sentiment behind something she once heard. That is, she says, to “‘Recharge yourself until your cup is running over and feed others from that saucer.’ That's what life-work balance does for you. It allows you to fill your cup to the point where you are able to serve others.”
- Seek and offer support. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Friends, family, colleagues and the INTIX community will be there for you in challenging times, but they can’t help if they don’t know you need it.
Let your team know it’s OK to ask for help, too. Encourage the use of any available resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs and counseling services. There are also specific mental health and suicide prevention resources for the entertainment industry.
- Strive for balance in all areas of your life. Listen to your body. Listen to your inner voice. Listen to your heart. Be true to yourself and adjust your habits and routines as needed. As a leader, promote an overall approach to wellness and life-work balance that encompasses physical, mental and emotional well-being.
“I’m not saying your day will be perfect [if you decide to intentionally make today as good as it can be], but I am certain it will be better for you, for the decisions you make and for all the important people in your life,” Mayhew says. “And when you get home in the evening, I invite you to do one more thing for yourself. Before or after dinner, go for a walk. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 minutes or an hour. Whatever you do will be perfect.”
Mayhew says, “The whole idea here is to practice self-care by taking control and changing one thing like the course of your energy through your day. You are strong. Don’t be pushed around by frustrated, grumpy feelings.”
By prioritizing wellness in your personal and professional life, you can continue delivering unforgettable entertainment experiences while taking care of yourself and your team. So, spring into the season with a renewed focus on well-being. You and your events will shine even brighter.
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