Open Forum

So many museum professionals are talking about burnout, it's clear this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The first step in addressing a problem is to understand it. With this in mind, I'm conducting research. Part I was understanding what burnout is - you can read my findings on the Museum Questions blog. The second step is to understand the causes of burnout in the museum setting. Please help me by sharing your stories here. These stories can be positive or negative, and will be kept completely anonymous unless you tell me otherwise; you even have the option to ask me to not share this story, even anonymously. 

Please share this with others you think may also have stories to share. 

Thank you in advance for your help in this research. 

I was just at a training last week and this was a hot topic.  I honestly thought I was alone in feeling this, but as I have been discussing it with others, I am learning how common it is right now in every industry. 

According to the training, 42% of professionals have experienced burnout because of their job in 2023.  67% are stressed due to their job.  54% are anxious due to their job.  73% say social support isn't a priority in their office and 64% say having social support at their job would reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.  All according to JobSage Research.  

Professionals are wearing more hats than ever before and are constantly connected, which means we are going non-stop. Since Covid many of us have created opportunities to work remotely and when we went back to the office; we still continued to work at home, too.  Carrying notifications and emails with us all the time.  We (and others) seem to forget that just because we can carry our email/work phone, etc.. with us- we don't have to!!!   

My email is so overwhelming!!! SO OVERWHELMING!!  The unwritten expectation seems to be that if you are emailed, you should still answer instantly because it is expected that you are connected all the time.   I really had to set a hard boundary on this.  I am also trying to hold myself more accountable, as I know what I do, our employees will see and follow.  I have requested that all employees remove their work email from their phones or at minimum turn OFF their notifications at work.  As I tell them, we are NOT brain surgeons, what we do is not so important that whatever it is, it has to be handled NOW.  If it is something urgent, I will call.  I also let them know, if I email, my expectation is a response within a week unless otherwise noted; so they don't feel like they have to check their email daily (nor do I). 

To lead by example, I have set up an automatic reply when I am not my computer or email letting the sender know that if they need a response any sooner than 72 hours, please call me.  You would amazed the shock of people that I don't live on my computer in email. As I noted in my out of office...I am in the people business, not the sitting at a desk business. :)   It has been an adjustment the past few months but oh my, it is life changing and my burnout is nearly gone with some motivation coming back. 

I also set up a flex day.  I will not take appointments on Fridays (lets be honest-most people don't want a Friday meeting nor do they want to start a new project) unless I have to.  This is MY day to set as I need.  As an Executive Director of a small attraction, I have many hats and never feel like my schedule is mine...a donor walks in, a volunteer or staff needs me, the board is calling for something...I take it.  So Fridays I get to control what I need/want to do.  Some Fridays I need to leave early or come in late. Some I need to work on a project.  Some work with the staff.  Some Fridays I work in guest services to remind me who our customer is.  Its MY day! 

A couple suggestions that were given: 

• Set firm boundaries. 
• Prioritze self-care and use your PTO
• Find your balance-the rhythms that work for you.
• Turn off notifications
• Take microbreaks
• Develop your support system
• Reframe your mindset
• Know YOUR purpose

Just know you are not alone!!! Huge issue right now and unless there is a change it will only get worse at that 42% will get higher and higher. :( 

If you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to reach out. A support system that understands is so valuable.  
Hang in there and make 2024 YOUR year!