Eres un facilitador que siempre está en movimiento. ¿Cómo puedes mantener tus niveles de estrés bajo control?

If you're a facilitator, you'll be well-versed in observing people's emotions. You're only able to do that through being able to observe your own. So facilitators - good ones - will be in tune with themselves enough to pick up the feeling of stress long before it becomes an issue. A stressed facilitator will not be a good one.

I always prepare for my interventions with a checklist, and I also create a presentation aid, even if it might not be needed. This preparation helps me clarify the workshop's structure and ensures I'm fully organized. Preparatory work reduces stress, yet success requires embracing flexibility and accepting that plans may not fully materialize. The essence of facilitation lies in guiding your group to achieve their goals rather than strictly following your agenda. Once you've done your best to prepare for the workshop, trust your skills and professionalism to make it a success. Embrace unpredictability as an opportunity for valuable learning and growth.

Keep a clear & focused agenda but also be open to the possibility that things may suddenly take a complete turn especially by powerful voices in the platform so remain open to acknowledge important issues that may pop up while politely "parking them" for another session or passing them to relevant parties who may be best positioned to address them.

Remember that people learn through speaking and actively participating. So encourage group conversation and interaction. You don't have to be - and you shouldn't be - talking most of the time. Encourage your participants to help come to conclusions and be part of the solution. If you're stumped by a question, defer to the group to discuss and create a solution. Knowing you don't bear the full responsibility of every single question and scenario can help diffuse some of the stress. And outside of your sessions, definitely still work in some downtime. We aren't robots - we need to be able to detach and unwind to replenish our energy and focus.

I learned the hard way the importance of an electronics "go bag". Room AV brakes, electrical outlets don't work, time is precious (ticking away). 1 of each regular cord, PLUS a long (10+ feet/3+Meters) extension cord, HDMI cord, & USB-C (a good one - high power AND speed). Auxiliary stuff like av adapters, PPT remote, a small speaker, and some batteries (packs and disposables, AA, AAA). 1 slim roll of blue painter's tape (flip charts with no sticky), markers (charts and dry erase). If this is always packed and ready you save a LOT of headaches and TIME. This will solve 95% of the "surprises" we encounter. One less thing to stress or waste time (my biggest stressor). Depending on the client, you might also need a flask ;)

In my experience, the best facilitation I’ve ever done was when I was well prepared and I had my plan set out. I also meditate to make sure I am calm and focus. When you are calm you can focus and read the crowd. Most of all plan to enjoy yourself. People attending what you presenting are also nervous. So create an environment of enjoyment

Facilitate sessions in a fun way & know your audience! Fun and engaging sessions boost positivity and often allow facilitators (and participants) to feel safe and relaxed. Facilitators are often required to improvise; having fun activities, or ice-breakers incorporated into sessions will enable a great level of adaptability during unexpected situations. It is important also to customize and tailor these activities whilst considering factors such as age, interests, culture, and familiarity with the topic to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Create a personal go-to library of Frequently Referenced Tools (FRTs) for quick customization and adaptation on the fly. This will save you hours of creating from scratch and actually promote continuous improvement. Be open to new ways of doing and being that may emerge in the different scenarios. Even if it worked well last time, do not insist on particular outcomes. This promotes learning on your part as a facilitator.

This is one of the key methods I use to manage not only stress when facilitating but also every aspect of my work and personal life! Stress only manifests itself when you are unprepared for something. When this happens I silence the panicked, screaming little voice in my head and calmly start planning!

Block chunks of time on your calendar each day or week to get things done. Avoid the temptation to schedule meetings or take on unrelated tasks. By building recurring time into your schedule it will provide time for you to focus on completing key tasks and sticking to deadlines.

As a workshop facilitator, I plan, prepare, practice and time the activities. I cannot predict the behaviour of all in the room, though I utilise all the skills and attitudes I have to create a safe, practical, and engaging environment for all. As a servant leader and giver too, I give a lot, and understand that givers must set boundaries and limits, because from personal experience over many years, I know that takers don’t have these.

I use my out of office alert when going on vacation and make it end mid-day of my return day. That gives me time to read emails and respond without having immediate calendar invites. I don't respond to emails when away.

Setting boundaries, being clear of the roles and responsibilities that you would perform as a facilitator during, before and after the training session helps in managing stress beforehand. Limiting working hours to what was committed, avoiding the trap of doing extra certainly reduces stress. Also, making sure you get proper rest and eat well while on the go is crucial.

Oft nehmen Facilitator Aufträge auch aus emotionalen Gründen an, z.B. weil sie das Projekt begeistert oder weil es gut bezahlt ist. Schaue auch immer rational auf die Auftragslage und frage dich realistisch: Kann ich dieses Projekt wirklich stemmen?

The best tip I heard from a senior facilitator some years ago was: use the breaks during the day to really have a break (and not work on your content or prepare the room). When I need to do some preparation (logistics or else), I give a longer break to the group so that I can have a mini break too!

Vous avez raison de dire que l’on doit se mettre un cadre, tenir compte de nos limites et de celles de notre équipe. Sur le fait de savoir dire non à un projet irréalisable, mon avis est différent du vôtre. De par mon parcours professionnel, le « non » ne fait pas partie des réponses que j’utilise. Je cherche toujours une manière d’arriver à l’objectif. Quand on ne peut pas passer par la porte, on passe par la fenêtre. Vous me direz, parfois ce n’est vraiment pas possible… notre valeur ajoutée est de trouver une solution même intermédiaire.

For me my role as a facilitator is one of co-creation. We co-create boundaries, codes, expectations, plans - literally everything is co-created. Even the idea that while these would be broken - we can still support each other.

Savoir ne pas vouloir tout contrôler et apprendre à la fois à déléguer et à faire confiance aux autres . Cela procure un sentiment de force car seul on va vite et en équipe on va loin ….

As a facilitator constantly on the move, I know the importance of staying on top of stress levels. Self-care isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Incorporating deep breathing exercises and body check-ins can make a world of difference. If you're feeling tightness, take a break to recalibrate. However, let's not overlook the significance of proactive health measures. Regular check-ups, including comprehensive blood panels, help us understand how stress impacts our well-being. Your body sends signals; it's up to us to listen and respond. Take care, and remember, your health is your greatest asset.

Journalling is my secret. I start the day with my journal and write down what I'm doing, thinking, and feeling. It sets a baseline and creates a space to settle my thoughts. They don't run about in my head if I have them out. I then pause, drink my tea, and look out the window. Anything else that pops up goes down, or I simply breathe in a moment of reflection. Then, I review the plan for the day and get going.

Know yourself and constantly keep yourself in check. It is easy to ride the wave of "doing what I love" and using the passion drive to drown out the fatigue. Learn to say no and how to communicate what you need. This depends on knowing what you need, which takes time to discover and changes depending on the demands. Create a debriefing routine or ritual that you can schedule into your timeline. Self-care as a facilitator is a habit, not a luxury. A major shift for myself when it came to viewing how self-care is part of facilitation is when I realized I AM THE PRODUCT. It is not the content. It is not the presentation. It is not the resources. It is me. If I do not take care of myself, the product (what I do) will fail.

In my experience, dealing with crucial conversations and conflict resolution constantly it is important to make sure that you are able to decompress effectively. You cannot do that without self reflection. Nonetheless, take care of yourself, and everything else around you will be taken care of in the appropriate time

In my 4-step bootcamp: 1. Mindful practice: finding my centre enables me to create a nurturing environment for my delegates. 2. Time management: effectively managing time is key to productivity and focus. 3. Prioritise health: nurturing my well-being and setting boundaries is essential for sustained success. 4. Support network: building a strong support network is a formidable asset.

Practicing self-care when on the road is essential. It will help you avoid burnout. I make a point of carving out time to recharge my batteries by spacing out my engagements. I always arrive at the destination a few days ahead of my session. I set up the afternoon or evening before the session to avoid rushing around in the morning. I order from room service the night before my session and I make a point of retiring early. Especially when I am in Asia where services are affordable, I book a massage and reflexology early every evening. When the sessions are over, I stay on for a few days to relax and tour the destination before heading home.

Practicing self- care is a must. Unwind and reflect. Stop.Think. Start. Works best. Giving to students and also giving to self!

First, if possible, don’t be a facilitator “on the run.” The hustle and bustle culture isn’t conducive to our wellness, especially for a facilitator who will be holding space for self and others during a training, meeting, session, etc. Second, as Audre Lorde said “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This is especially important for those of us who are DEI facilitators discussing emotionally charged topics. Third, some practices that have supported me include: - not making work my everything - grounding and centering myself before the facilitation - conscious breathing during facilitation - movement and significant breaks during and after facilitation

Three things that work for me here are; 1. Breathing exercises to ramp up and then also calm down 2. Drinking plenty water 3. Enough sleep 6-7 hours. Simple things yet highly effective 🔥

The most important self care each one of us needs to complete unconditional acceptance of ourselves. We do not need to prove anything to anybody, nor we need to live out of any images or notions that the world throws at us. We we can understand this in ourselves - we are free of self judgements and that is the most beautiful self care we can give to ourselves.

I want to emphasize the importance of professional supervision. My exchange with a health professional enriches my practice and she is also a safeguard. Her advice on cognitive development and emotional detachment allow me to take a step back and see things differently. We all have a very personal way to learn, create, share our knowledges... We are and we live as a person of our own. Each way of doing things is just as legitimate as any other. And, at the same time, what worked for one will not necessarily work for the other. Hence, it is essential for me to get to know each other, create a bond of trust and adapt wisely the methods and tools to the person and the situation.

Facilitation is a surprisingly taxing job, one that can take a lot of energy out of us. One of the simplest ways to realize that it's not as bad as you think is to talk it out with a trusted friend. As a facilitator, I have a few selected friends with whom I entrust my parts when I feel overwhelmed. We already have a trusted protocol for exploring anything difficult together. Sometimes, all that is needed is a listening ear, a sounding board, or a verbal confirmation that I'm not crazy. It's the little things that can help us return to center and have the courage to keep going.

C'est visiblement évident de discuter des problèmes avec sa hiérarchie dans les pays anglo-saxons où aux usa... Cependant, en France c'est considéré comme un signal faible. Très probablement parce que la hiérarchie n'est pas suffisante pour répondre sans l'accord de sa propre hiérarchie qui elle est totalement perdue sur la question. Bref il faut être français pour comprendre...

In my view, seeking feedback is essential for personal growth and stress management. Regularly asking for input from colleagues or mentors provides valuable insights and alternative perspectives on coping strategies. For instance, ask a coworker how they handle stress and if they have any tips to share.

I have learned to view feedback as a gift because it offers us valuable insights into our actions, behaviors, and performance. Embracing this perspective allows facilitators to view feedback not as criticism but as an opportunity for growth and improvement. By recognizing feedback as a gift, facilitators can approach it with an open mind, understanding that it contributes to their development and enhances their effectiveness.

Feedback is vital for your continued learning of course, but it’s also vital for you to be able to feel like a job is completed. It’s a lonely world if you’re working freelance as a facilitator. Feedback really helps with this.

Seek actionable intel. While obtaining feedback from many different sources is important, focus on specific, helpful responses. Ignore vague responses and focus on evaluations which provide clear suggestions. Keep in mind: everyone has an opinion, and not every opinion applies to YOUR situation, even when it comes from someone you respect.

Feedback is always valued but sometimes it can affect one's ego especially if you are not used to the approach that's taken by someone you've asked feedback from. Continuous learning for me means knowing how to deal with feedback from many types of approaches, then I decide what to do with it.

It is always important that if you have any doubts about the performance of your work, you seek feedback from your teammates, superiors, or colleagues. And be always satisfied with your production.

One thing I've found helpful is that (Feedback) gives you direction for the future.Many don't go for feedback due to fear of failure or not perfect (fear Psychosis) in your work.. Here you will be under regular stress of Right/Wrong.Today you needed Coach /Mentor in your Boss and Colleagues or from a Professionals to get you to move forward with inputs from them otherwise all efforts will go Zero and no improvement in your professional life.

For me it is important to celebrate the fuck ups as well. Even if something didn't work we should celebrate that. Because we can learn from that. And if we don't celebrate our failures, maybe we're afraid of even doing anything again. But if you celebrate them, you show your body, that it is ok, you learned sth. And you can go on. It is important to finish a project. A lot of times I have several projects at the same time, and therefore many different people. But what I experienced is, for myself it is important to take my time and end a project to give my body the time to digust all the impressions.

Celebration is an everyday activity for effective facilitators. You have to create joy and excitement for the work, it helps when you have a flexible group of colleagues who would find any excuse to celebrate the day. I mean. You visit new places. You meet new people. You learn new things and you meet your objectives every time! Have Fun! Lots of it too!

An example, I have seen is that all your stress goes away in seconds when you celebrate the achievements. That motivates you for another big task and is ready for more effort and a stressful environment (if it persists).God also says that "Celebrate Your Success and Happiness".. Otherwise it's a routine and monotonous job and you will end one stressful work and move to another..

You win or you learn - there is no better way to put it. No matter how small - I have learned to appreciate the slow and steady progress. The milestones and how fair I have gone. Celebrate your successes and your team's successes as well.

I use my award-winning "right brain" calendar system (The Quiet Time Planner™) as a weekly scorecard to help me keep track and my successes. Because the system is centered around my most important priorities and goals, it is easy for me to identify my accomplishments and select one or two to celebrate myself for achieving. Trader Joe's dark chocolate almonds are one of my favorite reward treats!

Mantener conexiones con amigos, familiares o colegas de confianza puede ser una fuente invaluable de apoyo emocional durante períodos estresantes. Compartir tus preocupaciones y recibir el apoyo de otros puede ayudarte a mantener una perspectiva positiva y afrontar mejor el estrés.

Celebrate the fact that you showed up and got through it. Celebrate what went well, and celebrate what you learned from the bits that didn't go so well.

Cada vez que nuestras ideas o proyectos tienen exito nos brinda esa sensación de alivio, nos sentimos llenos, contentos y con ganas de encarar nuevos desafios, pero creo que nunca nos tomamos ese tiempo para reflexionar lo bueno y lo malo. Reconocer el exito de otros es muy importante, pero reconocer los errores (o mejor llamarlo "oportunidades"), muchas veces ambos son parte del exito y uno tambien aprende de ellos.

I think celebrating success is crucial for boosting morale and motivation. Recognizing even small achievements fosters a positive mindset and encourages continued effort. For example, when reaching a goal or completing an important project, take time to celebrate and feel proud of your work.

Try not to take on more than you can manage. Put yourself and your own wellbeing first, always! Practice self awareness so you know your strengths and areas to develop. Seek others who have the knowledge or expertise you may not. Seek balance in everything that you do. Celebrate yourself and the contributions you make every day.

Being a moderator requires curiosity as a default mindset. I have to be curious about what each speaker is saying to keep focused on the discussion. Each event is an opportunity to learn about a new topic from experts on the panel or the audience. I find this intellectually stimulating and it gives new context for the next event that I moderate. Connecting with other facilitators to test out new tools is also a great way to sharpen your skills and increase the range of what you can offer to clients.

Continuous learning is the only way to stay relevant. Discover new ways to do things and stay curious. Keeps your mind young.

Honing your curiosity can be helpful on many levels- 1) it helps to keep you up-to-date and out of ‘back-in-MY-day’ trap, 2) learning and being open to learn also helps to keep your brain and mind healthier longer, and 3) newly discovered insights and interests can also lead to new friends!

I think this is a really interesting area... Keep learning ABOUT what we do or keep learning FROM what we do. Or BOTH I believe we can and should be able to do both. I believe that facilitation is largely about helping others 'learn' in the broader sense. As facilitators it is in our gift to role model, be curious, inquisitive and keen to develop. Show what open minded looks like and the benefits of it! Continuing to learn and develop can have real benefits for those you work with as well and may benefit career progression etc... Keep learning and enjoy!

One thing I've found helpful is to trust my expertise and embracing flexibility. I cultivatate the ability to think on my feet, adapt, and improvise.

Staying curious: every year I focus on a new skill, tool or technique I want to learn more about and to master my knowledge about. It's not necessarily rooting in a facilitation background, rather from a different field to see what can be translated into my field of moderation and facilitation. You learn new perspectives, ideas - but above all, new connections outside of your bubble which is deeply precious to me.

Having a diverse repertoire will help a lot to manage stress, as you won't know what questions and demands may arise during the sessions. I leave three tips that I practice and that help me a lot to manage my routine and stress: 1 - Stay up to date, not just consuming content but living experiences. 2 - Share your knowledge in your interactions. 3 - Be humble and always learn.

Debemos seguir equipando nuestra caja de herramientas como facilitadores para poder ofrecer cursos y talleres enfocados en información fresca y reciente, acorde a las tendencias del mundo empresarial.

En estos tiempos donde la tecnología, las redes sociales, la internet y todo lo que ocurre a nuestro alrededor, se mueve a ritmos vertiginosos, es imperioso actualizarnos constantemente. Siempre he tratado de trasmitir a mis alumnos o a los trabajadores la importancia de estar actualizados, de estudiar, de ver nuevas tecnologías, de simplificar tareas que parecen muy dificiles. Vivimos en tiempos donde todo va mas rapido de lo que podemos procesar y por eso es importante buscar estar actualizados, en la medida que nuestra capacidad lo permita.

For me, continuous learning is vital in managing stress long-term. Remaining open to new knowledge through courses or workshops on stress management ensures you're equipped with effective strategies to handle challenges. For example, enroll in a relaxation techniques or time management course.

I think you need position yourself in the middle of what you’re facilitating, I think we get stressed when you picture you vs the room/the team, with you telling people things. If you put the time in to make yourself part of the session instead, perhaps if you can by meeting some of the delegates ahead of time, doing some background with the leaders in the team, you can talk like you’re with them, rather than on the outside looking in. The same is true in mixed or open access sessions, use your intro and the ice breaker to orientate yourself in the group and show empathy, it can be tough being facilitated too!

As a facilitator that is always on the go, being stressed is inevitable. In order to manage your stress level, you must prioritize your activities in their order of importance. This will help you maintain different energy levels for different activities. This way you keep your stress level in check.

DO BODY DOUBLING Though used mostly as an ADHD productivity practice, I would recommend creating spaces where you can ask a colleague or friend to body double with you. The role of the body double is to keep you in the task at hand of regulating and performing nourishing activities like meditation, yoga, somatic exercises, journaling, or even brain dumping. Just having someone regulated in proximity (not advising, sorting, or strategizing) can help us in our regulation. This is why co-regulation is important. Settled bodies, settle bodies.

I believe that as a Facilitator, the best way to keep your stress in check is to enjoy your Facilitation sessions. Make them fun. If you enjoy them, your participants will as well. It will be like partying while you work. And to do that, you need more Passion than professionalism. The next idea that comes to my mind is finding gaps between your busy schedule and doing crazy things that keep you excited. Uncertainty is a boon in such cases. But again that depends on what type of person you are. So it can be anything from adventure to nature to solitude. Whatever you do, the yield should be some Happy Me Time, rejuvenating you for the next session.

Have a sense of humour and learn to laugh at yourself. Often the best prepared sessions go wrong in some way. Technology malfunction is a big culprit. It's best to have a big smile and laugh it off, so that others also laugh with you. If you show stress on your face, your audience will immediately pick up on that and mirror it. And never be afraid to ask for help. There is always some tech savvy guru in the room too!

Here's the best case for managing your stress: if you don't do it, no one will do it for you. No one cares whether you have a breakdown or not. I know, sounds harsh, but it's true. Sure your friends and family will feel sorry and check in on you for a bit, but they too will go on with their lives (as they should). So you're going to have to do it. And let's be real, you probably know what you need to do anyway, so let this be your call for the day. Look after yourself; it's the best thing you can do for you and the people around you.

I believe when we operate from a sense of purpose or contribute to something bigger than the mere transactional movements the stress will naturally fade away. A sense of mission or purpose or the desire to create value using one's skill puts us at a different orbit and helps us to destress and be more energetic.

I prioritize self-care, ensuring I get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise to manage stress effectively. I incorporate mindfulness practices like deep breathing and brief meditation to stay grounded amidst the chaos. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life is essential to prevent burnout. Delegating tasks to capable team members empowers them and lightens my workload. Continuous learning keeps me updated with the latest trends, reducing stress associated with feeling outdated. Seeking support from peers and mentors provides valuable insights during challenging times. Effective time management with tools like calendars and to-do lists helps prioritize tasks and minimize last-minute rushes

All of the above areas are relevant - however having specialized in this field for over 15 years the greatest tips I can give are: Be resilient. Plan well. Exercise. Eat Well and Live Healthily. Calibrate yourself regularly and take the right decision for yourself and for the client. Saying no is better than facilitating and not being 100% on it. It's your duty to operate from a position of excellence - you need to get the ship into harbour - don't take the job if you can't deliver on that.

I have THE ONE joker for every workshop-situation: When I'm in the workshop and happen to be in a dead end, I ask the group: "I don't know what to do next to fulfil your needs. Can you help me please?" I did that once when I was truly lost and feeling terrible about it. In retrospective it had been the best thing to do. Knowing that and learning from this experience was a game changer for my stress level.