What does it mean to say, "enough"?
And why setting boundaries should be your highest priority.
Every day I probably check my email one billion times.
OK, I know that’s not possible, but it feels that way. Worse, there are three accounts vying for my attention: my home email, my business email, and an email set up for work with my largest client at Rootstock Philanthropy. Then there’s my LinkedIn feed, text messages, a TEAMS thread, a Slack Channel, and on and on and on.
It’s no wonder sometimes I want to become a shepherd.
But even if I became a shepherd, it might be worse. Sheep can be kind of high maintenance. First, there’s the whole wool shearing thing, making sure they don’t get sick, eaten by predators, or hit by a tractor. Did I mention the predators? Sheep are most definitely in the food chain, or at least wolves see them that way. Would I check my flock incessantly, relentlessly, until my vision became one gigantic unsheared woolen mammal?
Maybe. But I also think that there’s a better way.
In the world of work, there are incessant demands and unyielding pressure, and our own self-imposed relentless pursuit of success can consume even the most resilient among us. But that is exactly why it’s so critical to set limits, to establish boundaries that preserve our sanity and ensure our well-being.
The act of setting limits is not an act of weakness. Not one bit. Instead, it’s an edifice to our self-awareness and self-preservation. It is an acknowledgment that we are human beings with finite capacities and that our worth extends far beyond the confines of our job titles.
But setting limits requires discipline. It is not enough to set limits; we must defend them against the onslaught of demands upon our person. This means learning to prioritize and delegate, and resisting the temptation to constantly be available at the expense of our own well-being.
The path to setting limits is not without its challenges. The fear of missing out (FOMO!), the desire to please others (DETOPO!), and the relentless pursuit of perfection (REPOP!) can test our resolve. Yet, it is through the act of setting boundaries that we unlock our true potential and create a sustainable framework for success.
Because despite what many think, setting boundaries is not limiting: They are liberating. By setting limits, we establish a harmonious balance between work and life, and cultivate the space necessary for our personal and professional growth.
How do you set boundaries?