Want Better Work-Life Balance? Set a Boundary
By Marta Manus
When people think of boundaries, they often think of limits or rules. Boundaries often imply learning to say “no” to others. I like to think of boundaries as the foundation of any healthy relationship, including your relationship with yourself and others. Boundaries are empowering, and an important aspect of self-care, which is something we could all use a bit more of. Boundaries are saying “yes” to yourself and teaching others how to treat you. Setting boundaries with ourselves and others, including colleagues and bosses, is essential if we want to create a healthy work/life experience. We have to get comfortable with setting healthy personal and professional boundaries.
Healthy boundaries at work may look like time boundaries; establishing clear timeframes for tasks. A time boundary may also mean limiting how often people have access to your time. A time boundary is violated when one person demands too much of another’s time or does not respect personal time away from work. It wasn’t until I learned how to set healthy work boundaries that I began enjoying my work, nearly nine years into my legal career. Until then, I had been struggling to stay afloat and frequently feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
It may be time to set or solidify a boundary anywhere in your life where you are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Ask yourself where these areas are. You don’t need to explain it to anyone — just set the boundary and stick to it. I guarantee you’ll start experiencing more balance when you prioritize healthy boundaries.
Marta Manus is a Senior Associate at Maier Law Group, where she counsels employers, conducts workplace investigations, and provides executive coaching. She is a certified leadership coach and frequent guest speaker at legal conference. Marta is the creator and Chair of the San Diego County Bar Associations’ Wellness Subcommittee.