We all think about dedication a lot. Committing, dedicating ourselves, giving more… And yet how many of us know when to stop? Knowing your boundaries in different areas of life enables you to protect yourself from a whole range of scenarios that can sap your energy. Setting boundaries and maintaining them means you are setting yourself up for success. Think about the last time when you did something that went against what you thought was right, just to please others? You may have felt used in some way, or as though you had actually let yourself down.
The key areas that I’ve found absolutely essential to set boundaries are as follows:
Work
It’s so important to be clear and set expectations upfront about how much time and energy you can give. Of course, if the unexpected arises we all need to be there but on a day-to-day basis it’s important to set boundaries for your time and stick to them. Don’t make yourself available after hours for unimportant issues unless you really want to continue on that path – which you may, for example, if you’re the business owner! Just be clear straight up about what should take your time and make sure all of the day-to-day stuff is dealt with during the hours that you’ve set yourself to work. I find that a lot of us DON’T do this – and the habit is set early on in our careers!
Health
As important as it is to commit to areas relating to health and wellbeing, it’s also so important to know when to give it a rest. I am one of the biggest culprits of this – I push myself really hard with exercise and don’t tend to take a lot of time to stop and relax. Make sure you set boundaries around the effort you’re putting in and give yourself days of rest! You don’t have to be full-on all the time when it comes to health. 80/20 is cool.
Nutrition
Similarly to health, it’s okay to relax and give yourself ‘free’ meals sometimes. I find sometimes that when I deprive myself of cheat foods I crave them even more. Allow yourself to eat the things you love sometimes and FULLY enjoy it when you do.
Technology
In the age of 24/7 connectivity, we’re all super attached to our phones, computers and tablets. I got my first phone when I was about 17 and I can’t even imagine growing up through those teenage years and having to content with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and all of the other social media platforms that are readily at hand these days. Friendships and relationships were difficult enough in person and on the phone without having to also deal with virtual realities as well. It’s not just work that makes us all wound up and wired to technology – it’s friends too. It’s important to switch the phone off and just BE THERE in real life with the people you love – or even just with yourself. I love social media and technology but there’s a time and place for it.
How do you create boundaries in your life to feel happier and more fulfilled?
