Setting Boundaries

We are constantly sharing pieces of ourselves - through time, information and emails. All the communication brings us together for a common goal, to share. But when that common goal is work, it’s incredibly important to set boundaries. But why?

You matter. Your time matters. Everything about you matters. Especially today, when work-life and personal life is blended.

Let’s talk about the types of boundaries you can set:

• Time: It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to have plans outside of work. It’s okay to have a partner. It’s okay to have a family. It’s okay to have pets that need you. It’s okay to want to have friends. And it’s really, really okay to just spend some time alone. We live in a time-poor society and your time should be controlled and managed by you, not someone else or their expectations of your time.

• Personal Information: Colleagues sometimes crave a lack of boundaries, which as a leader, is a hard line to follow. You are not required to share anything you are not comfortable with, with anyone else at work. Even if they tell you everything, you don’t have to reciprocate. Your life is your life, not everyone gets to know it intimately.

• Space: Where you show up to work and where you do your best work are not always the same place. It’s up to you to 1.) realize where you work best and 2.) find more ways to work there.

• Mental Capacity: This is often the most difficult to embrace and set limits. The task at hand is important to you and you want to give it your all. But sometimes, you don’t have the headspace to perform. Don’t force it. Make space to finish the task at a different time, when your whole self is available.