A lot of times when we think of the word "compassion" it's usually in the context of family and friends. Have you ever thought of the word compassion for your clients? That’s what I want to focus on today.

Compassion is defined as a sympathetic concern for others. Other ways to describe compassion is empathy, kindness, consideration, showing understanding. An article in “Huffington Post” broke it down so well as it described eight signs you a compassionate person:

1. You find commonalities with other people
2. You don’t put emphasis on money
3. You act on empathy
4. You are kind to yourself
5. You teach others
6. You are mindful
7. You have high emotional intelligence
8. You express gratitude

Compassion is a trait some readily have but it is also a trait that can be developed if it doesn't come naturally to you.

When I started out with this post I thought it was going to be one part but I got half way and felt,  wow a lot has been said already by looking at these eight signs....

It feels good to be back. It has been a while since my last blog post titled "rest". I have spent the better part of 2018 re-branding which has been a long and hard process of redefining the who and what of RAE Affairs. It was certainly a journey worth taking and it has helped me tremendously to understand more of the what and why of my business.

Also in the past few months, I have still been teaching with the Wedding Planning Institue. I have also spent a lot of time working on 2018 weddings and to be honest it has taken up so much of my time I have been waiting for the fall to start back up with RAE Moments. However, my fall calendar is even busier than the rest of the year so I said to myself you know what Shile "There is never going to be a perfect time, work is never going to get less, so just start."

I think it was perfect that the last post I had talked about "rest" as I mentioned rest is vital but after the rest its time to make a move right? Sometimes we are waiting for...

When I started out as an event planner I took some courses. One of the things my instructor said was after a major event you need to "Rest." At that time I did not fully grasp all of what she was saying but as I have continued on in my career I have come to appreciate her advice.

Rest is a vital part of being successful as a planner. It is important to take a day after planning a major event to rest and recuperate. You owe it to yourself and your clients to be fully prepared for the next event ahead. When you rest, not only will you be rejuvenated but you will also think more clearly. Depending on where you are in your business you might not have the privilege of resting after every single event especially in the height of the wedding season with back to back events. 

To some rest might look like sleeping most of the next day, to others rest might be spending time with family and loved ones, to others rest might be catching up on T.V. shows, to others, it might be...

I’m I really meant to do this? This is a question you might find you ask yourself constantly when you are thinking about starting out as an event planner. I want to first say that doubt is very normal. However, doubt can limit you from starting, it can keep you stuck in the same place and you only live out your dreams in your mind but never bring it to reality.

You might feel you don’t have all it takes but you will never know until you try, and the only way to try is to start from where you are. Look at the resources available to you and around you and ask yourself what you can do with these resources? It could be that you register for one of our workshops, or you sign up for a webinar or find a local non-credit school near you that offers wedding planning. Or you could reach out to event planners in your area to volunteer.

Whatever you do, remember that sometimes the picture is not fully painted and you have to start from where you are and all the lines will...