IMEX Frankfurt set to make a more positive impact

The IMEX Frankfurt programme of professional and personal development this year will involve 150 learning sessions reflecting the way people now live and work. Attendees can ‘pick and mix’ across seven tracks and tangible, practical takeaways are front and centre. One key speaker is Mike Ford, founder of Grateful Lemon who gives us a taste as to what to expect from his two sessions at the show. What small yet powerful habit shifts can event professional make to ensure they live their best lives? To make a change to their lives, people need to understand why change happens and how to make change. Why do 91% of New Year’s resolutions fail? It’s because people focus on the goal, they don’t focus on the habits. To make something a habit you have to start small and be consistent. For example, if you’ve set a goal to run a marathon, don’t start day one of your training by trying to run 10 miles – that’s one way to guarantee that you won’t continue! Incorporate your aim into your daily routine – and build up slowly – so that it gradually becomes habit. You’ve worked with many high achieving sports people. What did you learn from working with them? It has struck me how athletes are unapologetic about their need for recovery. Take, Harry Kane, the footballer, as an example. When he was interviewed an England win at the World Cup last year, he acknowledged the success, but asserted his team’s need to take time out and recover before the next match. In many ways, we’re no different as event planners. You could say we’re ‘corporate athletes’ and have the same need to factor in recovery time. The amount of rest we’re able to have outside of work has a direct bearing on our professional performance. There’s a direct correlation: physically, mentally and emotionally. We need to learn how to master the dance between stress and recovery. Event professionals should look at how they can embrace the concept of recovery: let’s not celebrate long hours or weekend working. Instead, let’s lean into those small but powerful changes to a daily work routine – by holding walking meetings, ensuring no back-to-back meetings, for instance. This is not suggesting doing less. It’s recognising when you need the ferocious commitment to get a job, project or event done and then ensuring you embrace the need for recovery, too. What was your own experience of burnout? A few years ago my work life balance was out of whack and had been for a long time. I’d worked long hours, spent time away from home travelling, not prioritising a decent night’s sleep. I was on holiday with my family and had joined a Board call. I had a sudden realisation: the people most important to me were all enjoying their vacation together and I’d chosen to spend time away from them doing work! I walked into the office as soon as I returned home and said I was leaving. I didn’t know what the repercussions would be, but I knew it had to happen – and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Burnout and overload are the number one reason people leave their jobs and it’s a major problem in our industry. Our data shows that seven out of 10 people in the hospitality and events industry are on the road to burnout. My focus now is on helping people understand what action they can take to improve their lives, reframe and reduce stress and shift from surviving to thriving. The Energy Audit gives people a clear picture of their current energy state and wellbeing and the trajectory they’re heading in. This data is powerful and it’s often the prompt someone needs to reevaluate their lives It’s all about getting someone excited about – and truly believing in – the positive impact they can make on their lives. n