You Can Do Hard Things: Behind the Scenes of Pulling Off a Major Event

There’s a quiet truth that lingers in the hearts of event planners, coordinators, and all the behind-the-scenes warriors: big things are hard. And beautiful. And exhausting. And worth it.

Planning a major event, whether it's a corporate conference, community festival, product launch, or large-scale celebration is a full-body, full-heart, all-hands-on-deck experience. From the first spark of an idea to the final round of applause, it demands more than logistics. It requires patience, flexibility, courage, and above all, belief.

The Planning: Dreaming Big (and Then Bigger)

It always starts the same way: a vision. The idea is usually ambitious and exciting and slightly terrifying. Meetings are filled with what-ifs, bold concepts, mood boards, spreadsheets, venue tours, and coffee. So much coffee.

And then the real work begins. Budgeting, timelines, vendor wrangling, last-minute changes, technology hiccups, permits, contingency plans, volunteer coordination, signage design the list is endless. For every moment that felt inspiring, there were just as many that felt overwhelming.

The Obstacles: When Things Go (Inevitably) Sideways

No major event happens without bumps in the road. Equipment fails. People cancel. Weather doesn’t cooperate. A key vendor runs late. There are moments you want to scream or cry (sometimes both).

There’s that pit-in-your-stomach feeling at 3 AM when you remember something critical that was almost missed. The panic of a backup plan needing a backup plan. The group texts flying at all hours. And yet you keep moving. One step at a time. One fire at a time. Because the only way out is through.

The Big Day: Show Time

Then the day arrives.

Suddenly, everything clicks into place. Lights turn on, people show up, music plays, and laughter fills the air. You look around and realize: It’s happening. What was once a scribbled idea on a notepad has come to life in front of your eyes. You catch a glimpse of someone smiling because of something you built and for a brief second, the exhaustion fades.

It’s a rush like no other. All the hustle, the stress, the late nights ... they melt into a single, surreal moment of pride. And just like that, the adrenaline carries you across the finish line.

The Afterglow: Gratitude, Reflection, and That One Powerful Reminder

When it’s all over, when the lights are down, the last chair is stacked, and the inbox is (temporarily) quiet, there’s space to breathe. And to feel proud.

Because even when it felt impossible, you did it.

You worked through the setbacks, the doubt, the sheer chaos — and came out stronger, wiser, and more resilient. It’s in these moments you remember something important:

“We can do hard things.”
— Glennon Doyle, Untamed

You’ve proven it, to your team, your attendees, your partners, but most importantly, to yourself.

So here’s to the hard things. The impossible-seeming deadlines. The moments of pure hustle. The exhaustion that ends in triumph.

And here’s to you ... for showing up, sticking with it, and delivering something incredible.

Until the next one.

Happy Thursday Lovelies,

-srt