Changemakers,
This last week marked the five year anniversary of an accident I experienced that led to a severe concussion and brain injury. And almost exactly a year ago, I wrote about the lessons I learned when my recovery from this accident forced me to slow down and recognize how much the rapid pace of work - and the stress it had caused me - had been putting a strain on my body.
At the time, I wrote about how important it is to SLOW OURSELVES DOWN.
Slowing down was life saving for me at that moment when I had that accident - as it continues to be, because our bodies can’t take the stress of burnout.
I want to revisit this idea yet again, because burnout has been the biggest issue that has come up in my consulting work with museums and nonprofits all year long.
It has been a major concern for folks in each of this year’s Changemaker Institutes. Employees at museums I worked with have also brought it up regularly.
Even when not directly related to the work at hand (such as creating an audience development strategy), it has come up.
And recently, in a 4-week Changemaker Intensive with staff at one institution, it emerged as a core barrier for effectively implementing change.
If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll also know it’s bigger than just these groups. I wrote about it recently in a post with a reader poll where 72% of you said you were experiencing overwork and burnout. And recent studies have reported that as many of 77% of employees experience burnout in their current jobs.
So what can we do?
Last year when I wrote about this issue, I provided some strategies and tools to help begin the vital process of slowing down.
I invite you to revisit them, especially if you are among the 72% from that recent poll.
And let’s talk about this. Really. Because a human-centered approach to museums and nonprofits begins with acknowledging when things are hard.
I’d love to hear from you.
Add your thoughts in the Comments below:
What are some challenges you’re having with slowing down?
What’s the best thing that could happen if you slowed down right now?
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I'm actively working on slowing down right now after an October that felt like a blur. But slowing down is tough during the holidays when I know my window of work is shorter than usual thanks to holiday breaks (and a kid at home). But I think the best thing that would happen right now if I slow down is that I'd be able to prioritize better - I'd have more time to breathe and think on what's most important and focus with more intention on doing that first.