As planners, we’re always searching for the next idea; that spark of brilliance awakened by beautiful colors, expert architecture or tastes and smells of inventive cuisine. It truly can come from anywhere. That’s what makes all of us gifted planners! We are inspired by the unexpected and turn it into an experience for many.
“Now here’s a little story I’ve got to tell, about one bad planner you know so well” (set to the beat and musical genius of Mike D. and the rest of the Beastie Boys) … but I digress! My newest, unexpected inspiration came from my husband challenging me to a Banana Bread Bakeoff —better known in our household as “The Triple B Challenge.” During #STAYHOMESAVELIVES living, you must stay sane and enjoy the day in any way, shape or form, but let’s make something very clear… you NEVER challenge a planner! It does not matter if we’re good, great, or terrible at said challenge, once someone throws down the gauntlet, it’s on. We will begin planning, devising, and scheming in order to achieve victory. This makes all too much sense, considering we pride ourselves on creativity, productivity, and efficiency.
This chosen career path both embraces and enhances the competitive spirit; we push ourselves through unexpected challenges and thrive in the accomplishment that follows. Unsurprisingly, this bakeoff challenge sparked so many ideas about new event concepts, décor schemes and team building ideas. I kept envisioning myself inside a beautiful sailcloth tent with mixed metal chandeliers wrapped in greenery, and numerous farm tables with floral and baking utensil centerpieces abound. I kept thinking I was Colin Cowie or Marcy Blum in an episode of The Great British Bakeoff. I realized through this challenge, ideas will never stop flowing. Clients, while possibly absent, will be eagerly waiting to hear what’s next and we should be ready to enlighten them.
As we know, sitting down to create your next masterpiece event can be daunting. You may second guess yourself, think a color scheme is tired, or feel like a theme your client asks for is overdone; but how can YOU make it different? What can you change to make it fresh?
During this time, I like to open my journal, so astutely named My Big Book of Ideas, and jot down every and I mean every idea that comes to mind. Over the years, I’ve really had to work at not limiting myself during this process and include what could be considered the pipe dream or pure ridiculousness. But, from this process, something truly amazing is born. Ideas start to meld together, and something once considered insanity becomes reality. We often tell ourselves prematurely if a client will say yes or no to an idea or if it’s within their budget. Just remember, they chose you for a reason: to guide them and make the most memorable experience possible. Do the necessary work to shape your ideas into designs by preemptively reaching out to your preferred vendor partners and ask for design boards and include color palettes and linen ideas. Put together cost estimates so you know where these ideas are falling and be prepared to have a few options at different price points. This process will provide tangible optics enabling the client to envision your creation while highlighting your creativity.
Now you may be wondering, or not … who won the bakeoff? That’s yet to be determined as we each believe our baked good reigns supreme, and who else is there to break the tie; our rescue mutts who are as indifferent as they come?
