Setting Boundaries at Work

Boundaries at work.  No longer just for your interns and grads! 

In short, having effective boundaries at work will help you be a better team player, and protect your sanity and wellbeing.

A boundary is simply a line in the sand. You’ll know when your boundary has been crossed feeling the aftereffects – feeling extra stressed, irritated, or angry.  At work, it’s easy to let line blurring to happen, by saying ‘yes’ to things we don’t have time to do, or we just aren’t right to do.  This applies to our personal relationships too – having good boundaries will set you up for a happy life!

How can you set better boundaries?  Start by practicing saying; 

• “Hey, I would love to chat, but I have a deadline. Can we catch up later?”

• “I hear you, that sounds hard.  I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now, can I touch base with you tomorrow?”

• “I’m not comfortable talking about that right now”

• “I have to leave by 5.30pm to get to <insert hobby>”

• “You’ll need to call me if it’s urgent, because I don’t generally check emails on the weekend”

A few caveats – of course, those are just words that may not apply to your context or situation, but don’t be afraid to test them out! And if you are on the receiving end of a boundary, and experience a negative emotion? Don’t be afraid to sit with that and identify what about that doesn’t sit right with you – apart from needing some urgent work support, of course.