315: Boundaries, Burnout, and the Busy AV Season

In this episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woert is joined by Renee Benson, Nancy Blanchard, and Murphy Daley for a candid, year-end conversation about the hectic fourth quarter in AV and higher education. The team discusses extreme workloads, slipping project timelines, unusual product lead times, and the pressure to stay constantly available for customers and campus needs. Renee and Nancy share insights into navigating unlimited PTO, leadership expectations, and setting boundaries while maintaining strong customer relationships. Murphy offers a “PM Minute,” emphasizing returning to fundamentals when projects stall. The group also talks about higher ed purchasing delays, an upcoming Sony Bravia model shift, international travel for ISE, and Murphy’s soon-to-be-released AV project management book. Topics Discussed:  Year-end workload spikes and burnoutUnlimited PTO and real-world expectationsSetting customer and leadership boundariesHigher ed purchasing delays and dragged-out project timelinesLead times, shipping slowdowns, and Amazon delaysSony Bravia model changes approaching ISE/InfoCommTravel demands and AV industry event schedulesUsing PM fundamentals when projects stallWork–life balance during the holidaysDecorating, family time, and personal downtimeMurphy Daley’s upcoming AV PM handbookInviting younger AV professionals to share their industry experienceThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.Connect with Tim: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-45416826/ Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life: Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337