Event Planning Basics – like Bull-Riding?

There is no doubt that one of the most dangerous sports on earth is bull-riding; scary as can be, but boy is it fun to watch!  The rider only has to ride the bull for 8 seconds to get a score – doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but it can seem like forever.

Advance preparation is the key to becoming a successful bull-rider. You have to have to be physically agile and strong.  You have to have the right equipment for the job – a vest and helmet to protect the mission-critical areas of the body, plenty of rosin on your rope and glove to get a better grip.  Mental preparation is a big part of their success as well; these cowboys have to have a truckload of confidence to climb on the back of a rank bull!

When the cowboy is getting ready to ride, he settles into his seat, tucks his chin, nods his head, the gate opens, and the bull explodes out of the chute. The rider must constantly adjust as the animal spins right or left, bucking and kicking and trying every trick he can to shake this pesky cowboy off his back.   When that eight-second buzzer finally sounds, it’s not over yet – the bullfighters are there to distract the bull while the rider makes his ‘get-off’ and scrambles away from the danger.

I get a lot of inspiration from these cowboys.  They are some of the most humble, hard-working young men I have ever met.  They love to have fun and kid around with each other and the fans, but when it’s time to get the job done, they give it their all.  These same principles apply to successful event planning:

• Preparation – visualizing your goal, identifying your mission-critical activities and creating an action plan – all components to planning a fantastic event.
• Agility – the ability to think on your feet and adjust your plan when necessary.
• Surrounding yourself with the right people – there are very few events that can be totally successful without a little help from other trusted individuals, so choose your team members well.
• Perseverance – staying physically and mentally strong, and maintaining your momentum until your final goal is achieved.

You can’t go wrong if you apply these principles to planning your next event.  You can do it!

Next – Selecting a Venue

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