funny, there
have only been a couple of
posts on this topic. so, curmudgeon Julia, give us men a chance before
pigeon-holing
us all as having no concern about balance, and relying on our wives.
single
father of three, I work full time
as museum preparator and exhibit designer. very hard to balance work
and
home. making sure I get all projects done and then rush home to make
dinner for hungry mouths, help with homework, and do house chores.
Needless
to say, saying no to some things is a necessity, but the original
poster is at
a disadvantage being head of a staff of one assistant. The board
should
step up and hear her concerns, and find funds to hire additional staff,
and a
help foster a healthy volunteer program.
Bennett
Siegel
Delaware Art Museum
Not to be a
curmudgeon, but why
aren’t any of the male list members posting on this topic?
Don’t they have the same concern about balance? Or is everything
taken care of for them by their wives, who have to do the balancing act?
Nevertheless,
I agree with earlier posts
that state that in order to be the best you can be, you have to pick
and choose
what you actually do. It’s OK to say “no” to some
things because you don’t have the time or energy to do them right.
You can devote your at-work time to your institution, but limit outside
involvement to options that you simultaneously feel passionate about
AND that
are good for the advancement of your museum. If it’s primarily one
or the other, then you have to decide if it’s worth giving up family
time
to spend time on that commitment. That’s a decision that’s
yours and yours alone to make: don’t let anyone make it for you.
Or you can
decide that some things are
going to get done at a level somewhat less than your best, and feel
comfortable
with that. Again, not to stir up any gender wars but I think women
don’t often realize that’s an option. Sometimes you can only
commit to trying or simply getting things moving instead of to
performing at
110%.
Julia Muney
Moore
Public Art
Administrator
Blackburn
Architects, Indianapolis,
IN
(317)
875-5500 x230
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