You're struggling to maintain work-life balance. How can you set boundaries with a demanding colleague?

In the quest for work-life harmony, acknowledging your limits isn't merely a comfort—it's a strategic move. Think of it as a CEO setting boundaries to protect a company's core values. Just as a company wouldn't overextend itself without risking its core operations, you shouldn't stretch beyond your personal capacity. Recognize the signs of overcommitment, like constant fatigue or stress, and communicate these limits as assertively as you would a crucial business decision. By setting these boundaries, you safeguard your well-being and enhance your productivity.

I have noticed in my career life and coach life experiences that some people live for work and believe that others are the same. This is when clear and empathetic communication becomes essential. I usually recommend my clients to have a "social" with such colleagues. It is always coming to the same thing "try to understand before being understood". During a social, such people are more inclined to open up and 95% of the time, you will find out that they have no lives outside work or try to escape their private life if not fulfilling. This is then the right time to advise them to take a hobby or go out and meet people to avoid burnout. Explain to them how self-care, hobbies and "me/familly" time recharge us and increase our creativity.

Clear communication is like setting the right alarms on your phone—loud enough to wake you, but not so loud that you can’t hit snooze. You might have unexpected "emergency" messages at midnight when boundaries are muddled. Instead, be as clear as a traffic signal: “I'm off the grid from 6 PM to 8 AM unless the office is on fire!” Consistency in your signals ensures everyone respects your downtime—no more midnight ping pong!

Ever felt like you're drowning in tasks while trying to keep a demanding colleague happy? I've been there! Prioritizing tasks is your lifeline. Take Anmol, for instance, who had to manage urgent client requests and a colleague's high expectations. By focusing on what’s truly crucial first, she not only delivered quality work but also set clear deadlines that her colleague respected. Communicate your priorities clearly, and watch your stress melt away while your productivity soars!

Draw a diagram, also known as the Eisenhower matrix with the 4 components: Urgent and Important Urgent and not Important Not urgent and Important Not urgent and not important Put inside each box the tasks/actions you deem appropriate and show your colleagues to ask for their contribution. That will give you a great basis for a constructive discussion with them.

You teach people how to treat you. If you answer your phone late on the first ring and you work every vacation, that becomes the expectation. If you want to reset you do have to have a conversation but offering a solution may help you take the pressure off. For example before going on vacation ask a coworker if they will handle emergencies for you and you’ll return the favor. If you have some work needs after hours set boundaries. Tell your colleagues I am available from 7-8. But 5-7 is family time. You will be surprised how quickly you get support of your new boundaries