A “Type A” personality is often a shared trait among PR practitioners – meticulously planning every campaign detail, following up on all possible story angles and staying in constant contact with priority media and analysts. While these are all helpful (and frankly, necessary) qualities for the fast-paced world of PR, it is also valuable to complement them with a mindset that tempers the pace just enough to maintain clarity into the bigger picture and ensure all activities align. This balance certainly isn’t easy—especially when in the throes of a high-stakes project—but the best PR pros bring more value and results that tie back to priority business objectives when they can actually see how each moment of their day contributes to the overall marketing program or the company’s vision as a whole.
Considering the benefits of this balanced mindset, here are a few ideas to help you (and me) find the zen of PR.
- Clarify Your End-Goal First – This may seem like a no-brainer but executives commonly have different ideas of what constitutes success. Ensure everyone is on the same page before you execute on plans.
- Be Flexible – With news cycles constantly evolving, ensure your messages and story ideas address the most critical pieces of the current trend or news angle. Embrace change when it is valuable to the overall goal, even if it means deviating from your original plan.
- Take a Breather – While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the flow of activity when the wheels are in motion on a premier media opportunity, be sure to take mental breaks and regularly huddle with your comrades to ensure everyone agrees on next steps.
Do you practice these tips? Feel free to share other ideas that have worked well for you or your teams.