How Do You Set Effective Boundaries at Work?
Being a “workaholic” was previously considered a badge of honor and crucial, especially for women, to move up the chain of command in their career. In today’s society, we are learning to step out of the “hustle” culture and lean into a place of not only showing up for ourselves, motivated and proud in our jobs, but also in our life.
However, like everything else in life - we put too much pressure on ourselves and hyper-focus on what it means to have work/life balance. Shifting from work/life balance to work/life integration can be more attainable and more realistic for our lives.
Achieving a healthy balance at work and at home is done through creating and maintaining healthy boundaries at work. So how do we do that? How do we set boundaries at work?
How to Set Boundaries at Work
You Can’t Communicate Your Boundaries If You Don’t Know Them
Identify your priorities
What is it that is important to you - in life and work? What do you enjoy? What do you want to see more of in your life? Ask yourself hard questions - by finding out what’s important to you, it allows you to identify what we can say no to. Your priorities become your basis for all future decision making.
Communicate!
Once you know your boundary, it is ok to communicate and let others know what to expect or anticipate from you. Always remember to keep this piece professional - it is ok to say no in a respectful manner, no need to be rude!
Set Limits
Setting limits around accessibility and feasibility of tasks and daily responsibilities is key to setting boundaries. This includes email and phone accessibility, open or shut door, or ability to take on additional tasks. Setting boundaries and limits around your time is one of the most productive and effective ways to set boundaries.
Ask For Help and Delegate
We often forget this piece of the boundary puzzle - asking for help is not a weakness or an attitude of defeat, it is understanding what you might be capable of at that moment. Delegating what can be delegated is an important function to learn over time.
What Is the Importance of Boundaries in Burnout?
Setting boundaries between work and personal life is not an easy thing and is even more challenging post-Covid with an increase in the use of technology and remote work.
Many workers in the healthcare and helping profession now have access to their work wherever and whenever they want - resulting in working into the evenings and weekends and pushing the boundaries of when to leave work at work.
This not only increases stress but can also reduce overall life satisfaction and happiness which is a contributing factor to burnout.
Setting healthy boundaries can not only improve mood, outlook and relationships but can also increase efficacy at work creating a stronger work/life balance or work/life integration.
Why is setting boundaries at work so hard? And why do I feel bad setting boundaries?
One of the most important aspects of setting healthy boundaries in the workplace is recognizing our own feelings and emotions that may get in the way. Setting boundaries often bring fear and guilt to the surface if you are not experienced at setting and maintaining boundaries.
Also known as unearned guilt, this feeling of guilt is common with boundary setting and can allow self doubt to creep in, resulting in questioning whether just saying “yes” is easier. We worry about what our coworkers think if we say no, are we lazy, not a team player or just unmotivated?
By giving into these feelings and emotions and being unable to set or maintain healthy boundaries at work, you are disrupting your ability to integrate a healthy balance into your work day, further jeopardizing quality time with your family and friends.
Seeking work/life balance is healthy and can significantly improve both your professional success and your private life.
