Planning a hackathon or any type of event can be time-consuming and stressful, with an endless list of to-do’s along with the pressures of producing a smoothly run operation.
As noted in our ‘9 Key Strategies to Make Sure Your Hackathon Doesn't Flop’, there’s a lot more to running a hackathon than just the day itself. In all situations, preparation is key; we can carry out the research, create our task lists, and nail down our deadlines, but it's just as important to prepare ourselves.
Whether it’s your first event or your 10th, furnishing yourself with the best knowledge and mindset to execute a seamless plan will guide you on the path to success.
With this is mind, we’ve outlined a useful list of books for you to consider reading in advance of planning your hackathon.
“Getting Things Done” by David Allen
Working through a system is often a successful way to achieve results and if you need assistance in cultivating a suitable strategy then this book is one for you.
“Getting Things Done” has been available for many years, but remains a firm favorite amongst budding and established entrepreneurs –– which speaks to its effectiveness.
As explained in one review of ‘Getting Things Done’, Allen offers a simple five-step system of organization to capture the information cluttering our brains and distribute it externally.
Through lengthy studies, Allen observed that our brains excel in processing information but are less efficient at storing it –– and by transferring the detail into an external source your end goals can be more easily achieved.
This is excellent advice to bear in mind when you're planning a major event.
"Your Goal Guide" by Debra Eckerling
As a sort of manual offering solutions for achieving goals, "Your Goal Guide" lays out clever methods for planning and execution with minimal stress.
As a particularly stressful task, event organizing can become overwhelming.
So naturally, employing techniques to minimize tension and apprehension can only be beneficial!
Essentially a roadmap to your accomplishments, ‘Your Goal Guide’ teaches the DEB Method, which stands for "Determine Your Mission," "Explore Your Options," and "Brainstorm Your Path."
This method serves as a clear process for planning and includes tools and worksheets for you to set out a stress-minimizing path to success.
"Event Planning & Management" by Ruth Dowson & David Bassett
A great read to cover the specifics of event organization, ‘Event Planning & Management’ offers a step-by-step guide to organizing and delivering a successful event.
Dowson and Bassett have all aspects of the process covered, from selecting the venue to managing sponsors, right through to post-evaluation.
This book is the latest, fully updated version, and includes the most recent trends, pricing structures, and relatable case studies to refer to when planning your event.
"Big Potential: Five Secrets of Reaching Higher by Powering Those Around You" by Shawn Achor
Looking at achieving success from a different angle, ‘Big Potential’ unleashes the secrets of how to reach your goals by empowering the people around you.
Uplifting and helping your events team reach its collective potential can further streamline your route to a successful day.
Shawn Achor, an award-winning Harvard researcher, developed a three-step plan as highlighted in Thrive Global’s review of ‘Big Potential’ –– asserting that these strategies will help boost motivation, energy, and performance.
Achor explains that tapping into others' positivity, forming a balanced and varied team, and creating reciprocal bonds will help unlock your best potential.
We hope you find these books useful when preparing to organize your hackathon!
Either way, they make for excellent reads for anyone in a position to lead and organize a hackathon in a professional capacity.
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