MASTERING THE ART OF SETTING BOUNDARIES AT WORK
Today I want to address something I’ve noticed many people struggling with lately: setting boundaries at work.
With emails, texts, and tools like Teams and Slack, we’re constantly connected to our coworkers. This can be a huge benefit when trying to meet deadlines or when teams are working remotely. In those moments, technology is incredible!
However, it can also make it difficult to disconnect after hours or focus during the day when different apps are constantly pinging. If we’re not careful, this constant connection can create a culture of overworking, pressure to respond immediately, and a sense of overwhelm.
This constant connection is becoming so normalized that it’s often celebrated. For instance, I recently saw someone at my co-working space celebrating the fact that they had finally taken PTO for the first time in years. Years?! If that’s seen as a standard of being a good employee, we have a serious issue.
Ask yourself: Do you feel like you’re constantly behind? Do you find it hard to focus on your own priorities because you’re always responding to others? Is it difficult to disconnect from work after hours? Does the idea of taking a vacation (or even a day off) stress you out?
If you answered yes to any of these, it might be time to set some boundaries.
Before we dive into the how, let’s clear up one thing: Setting boundaries does NOT make you less focused or hardworking. It doesn’t mean you care any less about your job or responsibilities.
In fact, boundaries can make you more efficient because you’re taking care of yourself. They’re a healthy way to stay focused on what matters and take control of your work-life balance. They help you show up more clear-headed and present at work – exactly what your company and colleagues need from you.
Hopefully, you already work in an environment that supports boundary-setting, so this won’t feel like too much of a challenge. But even if you don’t, it’s okay – you can still begin to set your own boundaries.
How do you do that? Here are a few tips that have worked for me:
1. BLOCK OFF YOUR CALENDAR
Do you know you could knock out email responses in a focused two-hour block if you had the chance? Or that early afternoon is when you’re most creative and best suited for solo work? Are you finding yourself constantly accepting meeting requests instead of focusing on your priorities?
Block off that time on your calendar to ensure no one schedules over it. Label it “email time” or “strategy work” so others know it’s reserved for important tasks.
This approach not only prevents interruptions but also helps you stay accountable to yourself, ensuring you dedicate time to the work that matters most.
2. SNOOZE NOTIFICATIONS
Slack and similar apps are great for instant communication with colleagues, even when working remotely. But they can also be a major distraction when you need to focus on high-priority tasks. By snoozing notifications, you can regain control of your time, which pairs perfectly with blocking out time on your calendar.
When it’s time to dive into your focused work, snooze your notifications to avoid interruptions.
It can also be helpful to let your team know you’ll be unavailable for a while. If something urgent comes up, they can reach you another way. For example, you might say, “If it’s truly urgent, send me a text.” This way, everyone knows how to contact you if needed, and you can focus without worrying about missing something important.
And don’t worry—if there’s a real emergency, someone will find a way to reach you.
3. TAKE A LUNCH BREAK
When did we become a culture that skips the basic act of nourishing our bodies to work effectively? (I clearly have strong feelings about this!)
If you’re thinking, “I’m too scared to take a lunch break! How could you even suggest that?”—I’m here to tell you, you absolutely can. It doesn’t have to be a full hour, but taking even a brief break away from your desk makes a difference. Whether it’s 10 minutes to stretch, walk, and eat, you’ll return feeling much more refreshed. And no, the world won’t end if you step away for 10-30 minutes. (If there’s an emergency, trust me—someone will find you.)
Taking a break, shifting your focus, and changing your environment helps you come back more energized than if you’d stayed glued to your desk all day.
We’re not built to stare at a screen for 8+ hours straight, and research shows that too much sitting is harmful to our health. So, take those few minutes to move. Even better, do it throughout the day—take 10 minutes in the morning, move around. Take a break at lunch, move around. Take another 10 minutes in the afternoon.
Get some fresh air, let your body move, let your mind wander, and eat something nourishing. You’ll be far more focused and productive when you return.
4. NO LATE NIGHT OR WEEKEND EMAILS
Our phones make it easy to stay connected to work emails, however constantly bringing work home with you isn’t sustainable. Yes, there are times when deadlines demand longer hours, but in most cases, responding to an email at 9am the next day is just as effective as replying at 11pm the night before.
Working late not only keeps you from fully unwinding, but the blue light from screens can additionally disrupt your sleep, making it harder to rest and recharge. To regain control of your evenings, set a firm email cutoff time for yourself—ideally no later than 8 or 9pm. This boundary allows you to disconnect, relax, and get the quality sleep you need to be your most productive self.
Similarly, adopt a no-emails-on-the-weekend rule. Weekends are your time to recharge, not to constantly check your inbox. If you need to peek at emails on Sunday to prepare for Monday, that’s fine—but don’t let work take over your entire weekend. Take time for yourself, have fun, and come back refreshed for the week ahead.
If you’re in a leadership position, it’s crucial to model this behavior for your team. How you lead sets the tone for others. Avoid sending emails late at night or over the weekend. If you need to draft something while it’s fresh in your mind, use the “schedule send” feature or clarify in your message that no immediate response is required. For example, “Sending now, but no need to respond until work hours tomorrow.”
It’s also helpful to let your team know you respect their off hours, and if they ever receive an email from you outside of those times, they aren’t expected to reply until they’re back at work. As with snoozing notifications, consider agreeing on a plan for how to contact each other in the event of a true emergency. This ensures everyone can disconnect without worrying about missing something important.
5. HAVE A LEVEL HEADED CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOSS AND TEAM
By expressing that you find it challenging to prioritize your own work or that taking time to move during the day helps you stay focused, you’re advocating for yourself. Help your boss understand how you perform at your best. Open and honest communication is usually the most effective approach.
Chances are, they’re unaware of the culture they’re reinforcing. If they push back hard, it’s a signal about the company culture, and you can decide what changes need to be made—or if it’s ultimately not the right fit for you.
I know setting boundaries at work can feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice, the more natural it becomes—and the more you’ll see the benefits. Plus, by modeling this behavior, you’ll encourage your colleagues to do the same, creating a healthier environment for everyone. It might feel awkward in the short term, but in the long run, people will respect you for it.
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