How to Set Healthy Boundaries that Can Change Your Life

Quote for the Week

"Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.”

?- Henry Cloud

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From the Skybox

Personal boundaries at work and at home are important to establish personal growth, healthy relationships and take charge of your life.

Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend in their book Boundaries state that boundaries are made up of two essential things: what you create and what you allow.?

A boundary is like a property line. It defines where the property begins and ends.

You have the opportunity to set your boundaries. You can determine what you let in and what you do not let in. You can determine the people you let in, what behavior is going to be allowed and what isn’t, what to say yes to, what to say no to and much more.?

I have found many people do not set proper boundaries in their lives at home and at work.?

Here are some tips for setting and maintaining personal boundaries:

1. Define your boundaries: Identify what is and isn't acceptable to you at home and at work. Here are some examples of defining your boundaries. You may determine a time you are going to start work and stop work. You might have set times to return email, texts and calls. You may have a time during the day that you workout. There may be certain foods you avoid.?
2. Communicate your boundaries: Once you've defined your boundaries, it's important to communicate them.This way, people will know what to expect from you. This is one of the keys to setting and keeping boundaries.?
3. Be firm but polite: If someone violates your boundaries, let them know in a polite but firm manner. You don't need to be confrontational, but you do need to be assertive.?
4. Learn to say no: A good lesson here is to learn to say the word no. When asked to do something the first thing is to give yourself time to determine if this is something that works into your personal schedule and will it interfere with your most important work. You can say no charitably.?
5. Take breaks: It's important to take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout. This might mean taking a short walk during your lunch break or stepping away from your desk for a few minutes every hour. This has been found to actually make people more productive.

One important break that many people miss each year is they don’t take their planned time off. If you are leaving days or weeks on the table you need to set a boundary. A very smart man once told me that when you retire or leave a company nobody is going to thank you for not taking your PTO, but your family sure will miss that time with you.

6. Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you're taking care of yourself outside of work as well. This might mean getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods and engaging in activities that you enjoy.

Remember, setting personal boundaries is not only important for your well-being but also for your effectiveness at work. By clearly defining your boundaries and sticking to them, you'll be able to perform your job better and have a more fulfilling life.?

Take some time this week to set your boundaries.?

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This Week’s Podcast Episode

How to Set Healthy Boundaries that Can Change Your Life

https://www.theascentperformancegroup.com/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-that-can-change-your-life/

?(You can also listen on your favorite podcast app)

Be Audacious!

Coach Jeff Garrett