Hey Reader!

How do you deal with the B-word at work? No. Not that B-word. I’m talking about the other B-word, boundaries. How do you deal with boundaries at work? Do you even have any?

Boundaries for your time? Boundaries with communication? Boundaries for how you receive feedback? Boundaries for your workload, priorities, and tasks? Boundaries for your development?

We’ve all heard the arguments for work-life balance and mental health, but not having proper boundaries can also stall your career.

I know you. You’re a hard working mid-to-high level professional who wants to showcase your competence and abilities. It’s not that you mind taking on challenges or putting in some extra hours. The problem is you’re not protecting your energy and efforts so that you’re working on the right things that will actually move you closer to your goals.

One of the ways people get burned out (another common B-word), is because they build resentment and frustration that all their hard work and personal sacrifices are not paying off the way they’d hoped. Don’t let this be you! It’s time to deal with your B-word!

If you struggle with setting boundaries, think of them in reference to the development and progress you need for your current career goals. For example, if you’re being asked to take on a lot of extra work that you feel is not aligned with your goals, then it can be easier to draw a line. If it’s something that will help you, like building better relationships with key stakeholders in your company, then you may be more willing to complete the request but with some caveats.

If you struggle with communicating your boundaries, start by sharing your goals and expectations with others. While you certainly don’t need to over explain or justify creating boundaries, it can make it easier to bring up to your boss or peers if they already know more about you. By opening up, you’re allowing them to understand rather than being defensive. It also makes it easier to collaborate to find an alternative solution that may be more aligned with your goals. For example, if you need to set boundaries about how someone is giving you feedback, by letting them know what you’re looking for and why, it makes it easier for them to see how they may be missing the mark and can talk through preferences.

If you struggle with keeping to your own boundaries, then remind yourself why you set the boundary in the first place. What are you getting out of it? Is it a skill, an opportunity, a relationship or something else that will help you? If not, then why are you doing it? I know I told you last week to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and you should. But, that doesn’t mean taking on things that are not serving you.

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Check it Out!

​Watch this quick video for 4 simple steps to teach you how to set boundaries and avoid burnout.

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When you don’t set boundaries, it leads to that other B-word, burnout. Don’t quit on yourself! Check out this article for more advice.

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What Would Jovita Do?

Sometimes the boundaries you need to set are only with yourself. One of the boundaries that I've set for myself this year is to stop pushing myself so hard and to stabilize. Yes, you read that right. Since I am such a high achiever, I am constantly looking for improvement, efficiency, and development. Even once I’ve achieved a goal, I'm quick to move on to the next thing without celebrating my successes enough. In fact, on weekends, I feel guilty when I’m just watching TV or napping. I feel like I could be doing something more.

The truth is, this negative self-talk, guilt, and constant 100 mph drive are not serving me or my goals. I set the boundary to not over plan my weekend or overload my to-do list because my goal is to build better habits around EQ and self-care. I communicate my why as often as possible and even write out reminders to myself in my journal. Finally, if I find myself struggling to stick to it, I think about what I’m hoping to achieve in the future.

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Pro Tip

Having your clear and compelling vision will help you set boundaries. Look at the time, effort, and energy you are or are not putting forth and ask yourself: ‘is what I’m doing now or what I’m about to do moving me closer to my goals?’ Your answer will help you draw the line.