5 Ways to Set Boundaries That Actually Work—And Still Get the Job Done

As a leader, you're expected to wear countless hats, juggle priorities, and often take on more than anyone realizes. Balancing leadership, personal responsibilities, and day-to-day tasks leaves little room for self-care. The answer many experts offer? Set boundaries. But, let’s be honest—how often has that advice felt impossible? If you're like me, a lot.

The truth is, setting boundaries is crucial for your well-being, but doing it well and without guilt takes a good strategy. Here's the thing: you don’t have to sacrifice your productivity or your relationships to take control of your time. Here are five ways to set boundaries that actually do work and still allow you to get the job done, because that is the name of the game, right?

Before I get into the strategies, though, let me say this: the most important thing to know is that these strategies won't work for everyone, because every organizational culture is unique. The first thing you need to do is take a moment, think about your company and how things work, and ask, "How could this work for me?" There'll be ideas that won't work in your company the way I'm suggesting them, but with a slight modification, they could be highly effective. So don't dismiss these ideas without thinking about how you could adjust them to fit into your organizational culture.

Respect Yourself First

Boundary-setting begins with recognizing your own worth and respecting the time you need to stay balanced and effective. Far too often, clients come to me already burned out, having worked their tails off to impress their boss and other leaders. And that's great....but one thing you're doing is teaching them what to expect from you, and that means you're teaching them that you're willing to kill yourself to impress. Are you?

The most successful women I’ve worked with are those who have learned how to protect their own time and energy first. You can’t lead effectively if you’re depleted. That's just a fact of how effective leadership works! Start by treating your time and well-being with the respect it deserves—when you respect yourself, others are more likely to follow suit.

Set Limits Around After-Hours Emails

Look, I know that there are many leaders who are always expected to be "on," but this expectation is both unhealthy and unsustainable. Set clear limits on when you’re available for work emails after hours. Let your team know that unless there’s an emergency, emails sent after business hours will be handled the following day. By protecting your off-hours, you give yourself time to unwind and recharge, which ultimately makes you more effective during working hours.

If setting limits around after-hours emails isn't something you feel comfortable doing within your organizational culture, then set limits for yourself for after-hours. I've had some clients who set their "off" time every evening after dinner. Once dinner was served, they were officially done for the day.

Let Go of Technology After Hours

We’re all guilty of it (me included): checking our phones or laptops long after the workday is done. But letting go of technology outside of working hours is one of the most powerful boundaries you can set. Consider implementing a digital curfew, a specific time each evening when you disconnect from work-related technology. This not only reduces stress but also improves your ability to focus when you are on the clock.

And, bonus, letting go of tech in the evenings will help your sleep patterns. When you disconnect and don't look at that blue light for a couple of hours before bedtime, your sleep will drastically improve, and that means you'll get the restorative rest we all need.

Set Boundaries Around Personal Time—And Stick to Them

It’s one thing to schedule personal time; it’s another to actually honor it. Whether it’s family dinners, workouts, or a quiet hour for yourself, make sure you treat this time as non-negotiable. You wouldn’t cancel an important meeting with your boss, so don’t cancel your personal time with you, either.

Even if it's 15 minutes you're blocking out in your calendar, the more consistently you protect this space, the better you’ll feel and the more focused you’ll be when it’s time to get back to work.

Downgrade Your Relationship With Your Phone

One of the most underrated boundaries you can set is with yourself - to downgrade your relationship with your phone. Start by setting a specific time to put it away in the evenings or leave it in another room during personal time. Let me tell you this: it is not easy. We're all addicted to our phones. I don't know about you, but I find myself justifying my massive phone use by saying that all of my books are on my phone, all of my work apps and personal health trackers are on my phone...literally everything in my life has a connection one or more apps these days. Is it the same with you?

Still, creating intentional distance from your phone means you can reconnect meaningfully with your priorities and with the people around you. It’s a small adjustment (that requires big effort) that can lead to really big changes in your mental clarity and well-being.

Want to Learn More About Setting Boundaries as a Woman Leader? I’ll be going deeper into strategies like these in my upcoming free webinar. If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed by year-end chaos and start reclaiming your time and energy, join me on October 15 OR October 24. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to start 2025 feeling recharged, not drained. Register here