Examine your boundaries

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Often, a too-busy workload is the result of saying “yes” to commitments without being present to the work, time, or energy they’ll take to complete. If we feel like we have control over our time and resources by setting healthy boundaries, we’re less likely to feel fatigued and overwhelmed.

You can create boundaries in several areas of life. Let’s have a look at each, along with some examples.

Mental boundaries

This means protecting your mental energy and applying it to the things that matter. Whenever you experience an interruption, solve someone else’s problem, or attend an unnecessary meeting, you waste valuable focus you could direct elsewhere.

Here’s how you can protect your mental boundaries:

  • Set and stick to your working hours, even if you’re working from home
  • Decline meetings where your presence doesn’t add value
  • Turn off social media, and work email notifications while you’re doing deep work
  • Use your vacation time to disconnect and enjoy the time off

Physical boundaries

Your physical boundaries involve anything that has to do with your body, bodily health, or physical space. If someone or something encroaches on these boundaries, they’re crossing a line regarding your comfort and safety.

Here are some ways to maintain your physical boundaries:

  • Offer handshakes instead of hugs
  • Turn off your webcam during Google Meet meetings when you need to (and allowed)
  • Take sick days and mental health days when you need them
  • Set and take a lunch break

Emotional boundaries

Setting emotional boundaries means separating your emotions from other people’s. This requires you to identify your emotions in real time and understand the alternatives, which is difficult. It’s a skill that demands self-awareness and courage to show up for yourself when someone else is making demands. These are skills you can develop with time.

Here are some situations that involve protecting emotional boundaries:

  • If your colleague is having a problem, not involving yourself
  • Not internalizing unjustified anger, blame, or disappointment from someone else
  • Communicating to your boss how you like to receive feedback
  • Not letting work setbacks or someone else’s venting put you in a foul mood or change your outlook

Recommended Book to Read

Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin by Anne Katherine