“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ― Socrates
As wedding industry professionals, we are often focused on two things--running our businesses and being good at what we do. The first one takes an enormous amount of time and effort, and sometimes doesn’t seem to leave resources for the second.
No matter where you are in your career, there is always something you can learn that will help you improve your craft. Nothing stays the same, and clients are always changing. You need to keep up! Continuing education is your ticket to staying relevant and competitive no matter what the industry throws at you.
I know, attending conferences or taking classes can be expensive and certainly time-consuming. However, there are plenty of alternatives and opportunities that lead to continued learning if you just look for them and keep an open mind! The benefits simply can’t be denied.
Get Some Inspiration
One of the biggest benefits I have found to continued education is that it feeds my inspiration.
Constantly coming up with new ideas and innovating takes its toll on anyone, and being inspired by other people--both those in the wedding industry and those in other industries--allows my mind to look at things from a different perspective. This in turn lets me play with the ideas others have tried and tested and put my own spin on them, with the ultimate goal being to move my business forward.
Make Yourself More Efficient
Some continued education opportunities are practical rather than creative in nature. But don’t dismiss this as a downside.
Spending just a few hours in the off-season watching webinars or taking affordable online courses could save hours every week in the future once you apply what you’ve learned. Time is money in this industry, so learning about tools to make a business run more smoothly is an investment that is well worth the effort.
Take advantage of the great education opportunities at The Special Event 2018. Learn more here.
Don’t Ignore Informal Education
Never underestimate the power of informal education. Just networking and being around others in your field who share your interests and passions can be educational.
Conversations are powerful and help us to open our minds. Be a keen student when the opportunity arises, and always try to determine what you could learn in every situation.
Make It Work
If you’re worried that you simply don’t have the time--let alone the money--to pursue continued education in your field, remember that you have options.
Go online and seek out webinars that you can view any time of day, including before or after an event. Watch YouTube videos that address a new skill or tool. Look for local networking and educational opportunities. There is a form of continued education out there for everyone.
Your education is not something that stops when you graduate or hit a comfortable level of success with your business; it is not about filling the vessel and then stopping.
Education can instead be the fuel for the flame that burns within you always; spurring you on towards a better understanding of what you know, considering new ways to do things, developing new skills and knowledge and embarking on new adventures you haven’t yet imagined.
Kylie Carlson is the owner of the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning and the newly launched Certified Wedding Professionals Program. With six locations globally, the academy boasts an internationally recognized accreditation program that brings professional training to wedding planners, designers and stylists.
