Healthy Boundary Setting

Saying no without feeling guilty. It’s something I learned later than I wish I had. I used to think being a good boss meant being always on: - Open door - Always available - Always responding But behind the scenes? I was stressed, stretched thin, barely holding it together Telling myself it just comes with the title. It took me a while to understand this: Boundaries aren’t just something you set with others You have to set them with yourself first. When I truly unplug, I return calmer, clearer, and more focused. And I believe that’s true for my team too. Protecting my energy isn’t a personal indulgence. It’s a leadership responsibility. Because how I show up affects everyone else. If I’m always running on empty, I set that pace for the whole team. So I stopped glorifying burnout And started treating boundaries as a leadership tool. Here’s how that shift looks in practice: 1. Define firm limits   ➝ Set clear times when communication stops   ➝ Let your team know, and follow it yourself 2. Model the behaviour   ➝ Don’t send emails at midnight   ➝ Your example gives others permission to switch off 3. Use scheduling tools   ➝ Write it now if you need to, but schedule it for later   ➝ The message can wait. Their wellbeing shouldn’t 4. Encourage offline time   ➝ Rest should be the rule, not the exception   ➝ Teams that recharge, perform Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re a necessity. Being a good leader doesn’t mean burning yourself out It means showing up as your best self, consistently For yourself, your family and your team. ♻️ Agree? Repost to help normalise healthy boundaries in leadership. ➕ Follow Cristina Grancea for more purpose-driven leadership insights.

Ever agreed to something and later felt resentful for saying yes? It's a common challenge, especially when trying to balance the desire to help others with our own needs and deadlines. In "You, Me, We," we explore how Abundance and Generosity, key to the #allymindset, must be paired with clear boundaries to prevent overcommitment and $resentment. Setting boundaries isn't selfish; it's essential for self-care and enhances our capacity to support others effectively. It's about saying no when necessary and communicating our limits clearly, ensuring we maintain healthy, respectful relationships at work and beyond. Remember, it's okay to take a step back and evaluate before committing – your time and energy are precious! here's how I've been practicing setting and communicating my own: 👎 Declining invitations due to prior commitments, a simple "no" is sufficient. ⏳ Taking time to consider opportunities before responding instead of a knee-jerk "yes", 🤷♀️ Being honest about feasible deadlines 💪 Making sure my commitment to go to Orange Theory is scheduled well in advance, allowing my work requests to fit around these vs the other way around! Note: Boundaries are personal tools for self-care, not constraints on others. Saying "I don't work weekends" sets a personal guideline, allowing expectations to be managed with others about your availability, and for you to make empowered choices in response to weekend emails. It's about respecting your own limits while navigating professional demands with flexibility. To identify your own boundaries, consider our "Look Up, Show Up, Step Up" framework: Look Up: Reflect on what balance means to you. Identify non-negotiables that support your well-being. Show Up: Communicate your boundaries with clarity and confidence, without expectation of others' compliance. Step Up: Honor your boundaries consistently, but allow yourself the flexibility to make empowered choices based on circumstances. How do you navigate the balance between supporting others while honoring your own needs?

As a coach, I’ve observed that the number one struggle leaders face is setting healthy boundaries. 🚧 In leadership, the desire to help and support others is immense. We often find ourselves going the extra mile, pouring endless energy into our teams and projects. However, this commitment can sometimes blur the lines, making it difficult to establish and maintain healthy boundaries. Here’s what I’ve learned and what I coach others to recognize: ✍️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀: Knowing your capacity is crucial. You can’t be everything to everyone. Recognize when your cup is running dry and take time to replenish. ✍️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Set expectations with your team and colleagues about what you can and cannot do. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and burnout. ✍️ 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: Your well-being is vital to your effectiveness as a leader. Don’t sacrifice your health and happiness at the altar of leadership. Make time for yourself to recharge. ✍️ 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆-𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Show your team that it’s okay to set boundaries. Leading by example helps others feel comfortable doing the same. ✍️ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Strive for a balance between giving and protecting your time and energy. Healthy boundaries enhance your ability to lead effectively and sustainably. Leadership isn't just about giving; it’s also about knowing when to step back and protect your own resources. Embrace the challenge of setting healthy boundaries—it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. #Leadership #HealthyBoundaries #SelfCare #EffectiveLeadership #PersonalGrowth #YourHealthcareConsultant #SoundLeadershipWithDJ

Setting clear boundaries as a woman in the workplace, especially for the first time, can be terrifying. But it’s the key to making sure we balance work and family - and it helps us advocate for collective needs. When I was navigating my leadership role as a working mom in ad tech - an industry that often glorifies the always-on hustle culture - I often struggled with making time for my family while still delivering exceptional work. What worked for me wasn't going it alone. It was finding power in numbers. When I discovered that I wasn't the only one feeling this tension between my job and my family, I started connecting with other women facing similar challenges, and we created a micro-community of support that grew our confidence in boundary-setting. Together, we developed two approaches that made all the difference: First, boundary-setting became a shared practice. When one of us modeled setting healthy limits - leaving for school pickups, blocking calendar time for family dinner - it created permission for other people on our team to do the same. Second, we reframed individual needs as collective business improvements. Instead of "I need a nursing room," we presented "The company needs a wellness space that supports working parents, which will improve retention and recruitment." The leadership team responded far better to collective advocacy than individual requests. They could see these weren't just personal preferences - they were business necessities that would benefit the entire organization. Setting boundaries helped me find community and support others in pursuing a better work-life balance. And it helped me realize that when we advocate together, we don't just change our own lives - we make work a better place for everyone who follows.

As high-achievers, we often prioritize others' needs over our own. Setting boundaries is crucial for emotional wellbeing. 5 non-negotiable boundaries I've set for myself: ♥️Making Emotional Health My Priority I schedule self-care into my daily planner, just like any other important meeting. Whether it's meditation, journaling, or a relaxing bath, I prioritize my emotional health. ♥️Honouring and Validating My Emotions I've stopped minimizing or suppressing my emotions. Instead, I acknowledge and validate them. This helps me process and release emotions in a healthy way. ♥️Limiting Energy Spent on Others I've learned to set healthy limits with others. I prioritize my own needs and avoid overcommitting. This helps me maintain my energy and avoid burnout. ♥️Replacing Social Comparison with Self-Comparison I've stopped comparing myself to others on social media. Instead, I focus on my own progress and growth. This helps me stay grounded and motivated. ♥️Saying No Without Guilt I've learned to say no without feeling guilty or apologetic. This boundary helps me maintain my emotional energy and prioritize my own needs. By setting these boundaries, I've improved my emotional wellbeing and increased my resilience. What boundaries do you set for your emotional wellbeing?

Setting healthy boundaries isn't selfish. It's self-care. As a psychiatrist, I've had to remind my patients. And myself for that matter. Here's my advice: 1/ Follow your internal compass: Think of a compass with YES and NO as the only directions to choose from. This will help make choices that align with your needs and values. 2/ Your boundaries are your yes' and no's: Every decision you make shapes your life. Set clear boundaries to boost your wellbeing. 3/ A little discomfort for long-term benefits: You’ll feel some stress or discomfort when first setting boundaries. Over the long-term you feel relief and less overwhelmed. 4/ Healthy boundaries = good self-care: True self-care goes far beyond diet and exercise. It includes emotional, mental, and relational health. 5/ Stress will likely cloud judgment: You can’t make good decisions while severely stressed. Set boundaries to reduce stress, get clarity, and make better choices. 6/ Others won't like it when you say no: And that’s OK. You’ll get push back when you start to enforce boundaries. Others’ reactions shouldn’t guide your decisions. 7/ Tweak boundaries over time: What feels safe today may not feel safe tomorrow. It’s OK to change course as you get better at setting boundaries. 8/ Your boundaries will be tested: It may be hard to keep your boundaries during times of personal crisis, work stress, and family strain. Just be ready to boost self-care. 9/ Build a support system: You’ll need help dealing with tough situations. Reach out to friends, support groups, or experts for help. 10/ You can't be 'on' all the time: Just because you have a phone doesn’t mean you’re always on call. Create down-time and protect it. Boundaries aren't walls. They're bridges to healthier relationships. And a better work-life balance. ---------------------------------------- ⁉️ What works for you? ♻️ Reshare to inform your network. 👉 Follow me (Eric Arzubi, MD) for more like this!

I used to wake up dreading my calendar. Every notification felt like another brick on my chest. Until I realized: the old rules were breaking me. So I set out to rewrite the rules. Here are 8 boundary-setting tips that actually work: ❌ Old rule: Work Defines Your Identity ✅ New rule: Separate Your Worth from Your Work 💡 Action: Schedule 2 hours weekly for a non-work hobby ❌ Push Through Until Burnout ✅ Honor Your Body's Signals 💡 Recharge with a 10-minute break every 90 minutes of focused work ❌ Always Be Available ✅ Guard Your Time Intentionally 💡 Batch all emails into 2-3 set times daily ❌ Keep Struggles To Yourself ✅ Be Kind to Yourself & Seek Support 💡 Book monthly check-ins with a trusted mentor ❌ Hope Others Guess Your Limits ✅ Over-Communicate Your Boundaries 💡 Set response time expectations in your email signature ❌ Treat Everything As Urgent ✅ Distinguish Between Urgent and Important 💡 Use prioritization by each day labeling your top 3 tasks as "Important" or "Urgent" ❌ Follow Unrealistic Schedules ✅ Create a Routine That Works for You 💡 Design a 30-minute morning routine that energizes you ❌ Put Self-Care Last on the To-Do List ✅ Schedule Self-Care Time First 💡 Block 30-minutes of personal time daily The old rules are the quiet thief of joy and purpose. These new rules will help you thrive in work AND life. Which old rule do you need to break first? ♻️ Repost to help others break the old rules. 🔔 Follow me (Nadeem) for more like this.

I used to have difficult time saying no! But not anymore when I have to. I have learned that setting boundaries in the workplace is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, enhancing productivity, and fostering positive relationships; thus good for the entire team and not only for me. Here are actionable tips to help you establish and maintain professional boundaries: 1. Communicate Clearly 🎯Be transparent about your limits with colleagues and supervisors. For instance, let them know your preferred communication hours or how you prioritize tasks. • Example: “I’m happy to assist during work hours, but I do not check emails after 6 PM.” 2. Learn to Say No 🚫 Politely decline additional tasks that exceed your capacity. Offer alternatives or negotiate timelines when possible. • Example: “I’d love to help, but I’m currently managing other priorities. Could we revisit this next week?” 3. Manage Time Effectively 🗓️ Use tools like calendars and task managers to allocate time for specific tasks and breaks. Block out periods for focused work to minimize interruptions. 4. Avoid Over-Commitment 📥 Know your workload and capabilities. Taking on too much can lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness. 5. Set Technology Boundaries 📲Turn off notifications for work apps outside office hours, unless your role requires urgent responsiveness. 6. Seek Support from Leadership 📝If you’re struggling with boundary enforcement, discuss it with your supervisor. Many organizations value work-life balance and can help with workload adjustments. 7. Model Healthy Behavior 🍃Encourage a culture of boundaries by respecting others’ time and limits. For example, avoid emailing colleagues after hours unless it’s urgent. 📈Scientific research underscores the importance of workplace boundaries in promoting well-being and organizational success. Studies show that setting boundaries reduces burnout, improves productivity, enhances mental health, and fosters better relationships. By clearly defining roles, managing time effectively, and maintaining open communication, professionals can thrive in their careers without compromising personal health or satisfaction. Your Next Step Start small by identifying one area in your work life where boundaries could make a difference. Whether it’s declining unnecessary meetings or limiting after-hours work, you’ll notice the positive effects quickly. #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalBoundaries #WorkplaceWellness #ProductivityTips #MentalHealthAtWork #TimeManagement #LeadershipSkills #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #MindfulLeadership #HealthyWorkCulture #PersonalDevelopment #StressManagement #researchconsulting #consulting #clinicalresearch

I’ve learned that setting boundaries at work, while hard, is a form of self-protection – and key to optimizing performance. I have worked at places where the idea of self-protection often elicited an eye-roll; hard-charging, demanding of always more, driving places. If you feel as though you’re constantly drinking from a firehose, then it is up to you to communicate to whomever you need to -  (the Founder, the CEO, your boss, your colleagues, etc.), that you are turning off the spigot. Setting boundaries is a way of taking a beat to assess how you feel, so you can then communicate from a place of emotional distance. Without emotional distance, you will experience burnout, which will spread into every facet of your life. And if you burn out, the hose won’t help you, because you are the one on fire. Find the liminal space between what you feel and what is happening. Take a beat. Set up a conversation with people who need to know what is and what is not possible for you - right now in your work life. From there, you can make a plan to move forward, and if that means somewhere else, so be it. If you don’t know which direction to go, begin with a list of resources – therapists, trusted friends, or colleagues. Seek out a mentor or if possible - hire a coach. But know that without emotional distance, you will feed the fire because what you focus on, is what you give power to, and if that is overwhelming, then burnout is around the corner. Protect yourself. Set boundaries. Take a beat. Don’t fuel the fire. Then you can optimize performance. #mindsetcoaching, #performance #emotionalwellness

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲. - You need clarity. - You need respect. - You need space to protect your well-being. Some of the hardest lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from being treated unfairly. They came from not setting boundaries soon enough. If you want to thrive at work without burning out, here are 5 boundaries worth setting (and none of them make you “difficult”): ☝🏼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 → Just because you can reply after 7pm doesn’t mean you should. ✌🏼 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 → Your value isn’t tied to being constantly available. 🤟🏼 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 → Silence helps no one. Especially not you. 🖖🏼 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → You can be helpful without being a doormat. 🖐🏼 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀 → Invest in what helps you grow, not just what keeps others comfortable. Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re doors to healthier, more sustainable careers. What’s one boundary you’ve set that changed the way you work?