BUSINESS
Tips for Business Owners Who Struggle to Set Clear Boundaries
Having clear boundaries can help you run a successful business
Many people want to set boundaries. They know that having clear boundaries can help them run a successful business but they don’t do it. Why?
They feel terrible when they try — and because they hate doing it, they make excuses not to set them. I used to be exactly the same way — the queen of people pleasers and multi-taskers and things didn’t go well.
Boundaries are an essential skill for a healthy life, especially when you are in business and working with others. In fact, women often feel it hard to say “no” even more so than men. We don’t want to offend or upset anyone. And yet when we do say “yes” when we should have said “no,” then resentment can rear its ugly head as well as other negative consequences such as fatigue and overwhelm.
Get clear on what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at, what’s important to you
Setting boundaries is not just about your business. It’s about your life. It’s easier to set boundaries in your business when you know exactly what you are passionate about, what you are good at, and what is important to you.
Firstly, you need to be clear about what it is you actually want to achieve. This sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how many people rush ahead and try to tackle their problems without first defining them clearly. If it’s not clear in your mind, then how will anyone else know?
Secondly, work out how much time you want and can spend on each area of your life. This will help you to be clear about what is possible.
You can start by identifying the areas most important to you, such as:
Business/career — the time that your business requires for to achieve your goals
Family/friends — the time that you wish to devote to family or close friends
Hobbies/pastimes — the time that you have available for activities outside of work and family commitments
When you know these things and are clear on them, it’s like putting a filter on the outside world; things will either fit or they won’t.
If something doesn’t fit with your mission or vision for yourself or your business, then it’s likely not something you want to spend time doing.
Businesses that operate without clear boundaries take on anything and everything that clients throw at them, causing burn out and overwhelm — not a happy place to be!
Protect your most precious asset — your time
Your most precious asset is your time. It’s the one thing that you can’t buy more of, and no-one else in the world has your experience. The way you use your time dictates how much value you create, how much money you’re going to make and ultimately, how happy you’re going to be.
As an entrepreneur or business professional it can be challenging to keep track of all of the things that demand your attention. You might take on tasks such as writing blogs because they seem relatively easy (or at least easier than other things), even though they don’t necessarily align with what makes the biggest impact for your clients or company.
Working with your business partners, colleagues and other stakeholders
It’s important that you work in a way compatible to your business partners, colleagues and other stakeholders. It’s not just about what you want but also about how they feel too. Understanding the right way to work together is the result of identifying what is important to everyone involved and establishing an agreement on those things.
Communicate what’s going on and who’s responsible for each task
You must also be clear and upfront about your boundaries from the start of your working relationship. It might feel awkward the first time you do it, but it’s essential for respecting each other’s time. It also ensures that you don’t end up spending hours on a task that is someone else’s responsibility.
What you can do now
If setting boundaries is something you find difficult to do take some time to reflect on these three questions:
What am I passionate about?
What am I good at?
What is important to me?
Spend quality time reflecting on these questions until clarity hits. Then use that clarity as a barometer for setting boundaries moving forward!
Rejoice Denhere is an editor at Vital World Online and the author of Fearless. She has been featured in High Profile Magazine.
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