How do you cope with conference fatigue and burnout and maintain your productivity and well-being?

1 Recognize the signs

Conference fatigue and burnout are two distinct yet related issues. Fatigue is the physical and mental exhaustion caused by overwork, lack of sleep, or too much stimulation. Burnout is the emotional and psychological distress that comes from feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated, or disillusioned. Some warning signs of conference fatigue and burnout include irritability, anxiety, depression, lack of motivation or interest in work, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, headaches, muscle tension, or other physical symptoms. If any of these symptoms arise, it's important to take care of yourself and seek help if needed.

2 Set boundaries and priorities

As a conference coordinator, you have many responsibilities and demands, but you also have limits. To protect your time, energy, and sanity, it's important to set boundaries and priorities. This may include learning to say no to requests or tasks that are not essential or realistic, delegating or outsourcing some of the work to others who can help you, communicating clearly and assertively your expectations and needs to your team, clients, and stakeholders, planning ahead and creating a realistic schedule and budget for each conference, and focusing on the most important and urgent tasks while avoiding distractions. By taking these steps, you can manage your workload more effectively and reduce stress.

4 Seek feedback and growth

A third way to cope with conference fatigue and burnout is to seek feedback and growth. Feeling stuck, bored, or unfulfilled in your work can lead to these feelings, so it’s important to challenge yourself and seek opportunities to develop. You can ask for feedback from your clients, speakers, or sponsors on how you can improve your conferences. Additionally, mentorship or coaching from someone who can guide you and inspire you can be beneficial. You can also attend courses, workshops, or webinars that can teach you new skills or knowledge. Joining or creating a network or community of conference coordinators who can share best practices and ideas is another option. Experimenting with new formats, themes, or technologies for your conferences is also a great way to seek growth. Seeking feedback and growth will help you enhance your skills and confidence.

5 Celebrate your achievements

A final way to cope with conference fatigue and burnout is to celebrate your achievements. This can be a great way to combat feelings of being unappreciated, unrecognized, or undervalued in your work. You should keep a record or portfolio of your conferences and the positive outcomes they have generated, as well as share your success stories and testimonials with your team, clients, and stakeholders. Additionally, rewarding yourself and your team with a bonus, gift, or recognition ceremony can be beneficial. Seeking or applying for awards or recognition from your industry or profession is also an option. Reflecting on your goals and vision and how far you have come can be a great way to recognize your accomplishments. Celebrating your achievements will help you boost morale and satisfaction.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?