Importance of Setting Boundaries: How to Create Work-Life Balance

Importance of Setting Boundaries: How to Create Work-Life Balance

In today's fast-paced and ever-connected world, setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging. However, setting boundaries is critical for protecting your mental health, work productivity, and personal well-being. It requires self-awareness, communication skills, and a willingness to have uncomfortable conversations.


There are three types of boundaries to consider: mental, physical, and emotional. Mental boundaries involve taking breaks from work, prioritising tasks, and setting realistic goals. Physical boundaries include creating a separate workspace, taking regular breaks, and avoiding working late. Emotional boundaries involve identifying personal limits and communicating them effectively with colleagues and bosses.

Some have even classified boundaries into 7 subtypes.

Source: Seven Kinds of Boundaries
Source: Seven Kinds of Boundaries

Boundaries with colleagues

Setting boundaries with colleagues is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy work environment. As is evidenced by the plethora of social media content trying to teach “professional language to say no”.? And rightly so, to set professional boundaries with coworkers, it is crucial to communicate what those boundaries are clearly. However, one must remember that setting boundaries isn't just about safeguarding personal time, but also includes designating specific times at work to focus on certain projects or to get tasks accomplished. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 56% of working adults report not having enough time for the things they want to do. Clearly defined boundaries can help to mitigate this problem and promote a healthier work-life balance.?


Boundaries with the Boss

Setting boundaries with one's boss is the next important factor in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, but it can be challenging to do so effectively. Boundary setting is also affected by the culture and the context of the employees. For example, according to Holfstede’s cultural framework, Singapore scores high on power distance and low on individualism. This indicates difficulty in deferring to authority and setting boundaries for personal well-being. Research suggests that having open and honest communication with one's boss is essential for setting boundaries and avoiding burnout.?

Therefore, it is important to have regular conversations with one's boss about workload, priorities, and expectations to ensure that both parties are on the same page. The best way to set professional boundaries with your boss is to approach the situation with empathy. Give them the benefit of the doubt that they may not have been aware of your workload or whatever boundary you set for yourself. Speaking to your manager about what isn’t working and what your personal goals are can make all the difference. Try having those meaningful conversations often to set up a system of accountability.


Boundaries when WFH

When talking about working from home, boundaries can be understood in a more literal sense. Creating a dedicated office space and sticking to work hours can be a helpful way to set boundaries between work and personal life. Additionally, scheduling activities during free time and having clear communication with family members about work commitments can help maintain a healthy work-life balance. A survey conducted by JobStreet in Singapore found that 73% of respondents reported an increase in workload due to remote work during the pandemic, which can blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Establishing routines, such as shutting off the computer and clearing the workspace, can signal to the brain that it’s time to transition from work to personal time. Creating a clear separation between work and personal life can be an essential step in preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being.


Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Health

Like a tree, you can grow only into fruition or maximum productivity only if you have the correct nutrition. Your mental and physical health state is core to your well-being and how you show up at work. Conducting a boundary audit can help identify areas where setting limits can alleviate stress and improve well-being. Try using these worksheets by Dr Jo Nash: Visualizing your Boundaries and Personal Boundary Continuum. These tools might help you reflect and identify areas that may need to be worked upon – i.e. building more flexibility or firmer boundaries.


How To Set Work Boundaries To Increase Productivity And Happiness
Source: How To Set Work Boundaries To Increase Productivity And Happiness


Setting boundaries is vital to strike a balance between work and personal life, maintaining good mental health, and staying happy and healthy. While I realise the concepts of boundaries and work-life balance have been overused, this is one of my most cherished reflections during my professional journey. There might come a time you will ask yourself existential questions such as, “What does this amount to”? And no amount of recognition or accomplishments will serve as a salve to these questions. Healthy boundaries and a balanced approach might come to your aid then. These help you build pockets of silence, a necessity to keep in touch with our evolving needs and goals.?


However, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach, and different boundaries, like mental, physical, and emotional boundaries, have different challenges and solutions. So, it's important to know which boundaries work for you and set them accordingly. Keep in mind that setting boundaries is a journey, not a destination, and it requires constant effort, practice, and a genuine commitment to personal well-being.


Sources

  1. Stress in America: Coping with Change, Part 1
  2. Country Comparison - Hofstede Insights
  3. Review Article: Geert Hofstede: Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values: 1980, Beverly Hills/London: Sage. 474 pages, 1983
  4. The role of work–life balance and autonomy in the relationship between commuting, employee commitment and well-being | Request PDF
  5. How hirers can keep employees happy as they work from home | Jobstreet.com SG Employer
  6. How to Set Healthy Boundaries & Build Positive Relationships


Great write-up Sammy! Really resonated with me and given some thoughts on how to improve my boundaries :)

回复
Sharon Chan

Global Client Executive (Strategic Accounts)

1 年

Think you nailed it with “What does this amount to?” Such an easy but strong question. Thanks for penning this insightful commentary Sammy Elazab ! ??

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