At work, you want to be a dependable, go-to employee that delivers reliable performance. At the same time, you don’t want to get overloaded with additional tasks, helping others get their work done, and constantly changing goals. How can you set healthy boundaries in a way that’s good for your career and your life? Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Know your priorities.
At work, you have obligations that have to be met and jobs that must be completed. You also might have tasks that would be nice to get done but aren’t urgent. Make sure you know your priorities and handle them first. This way, you won’t be left scrambling or stressed if something unexpected happens. In addition, if your plate is full of these priorities, then you know it’s time to say “no” to additional asks or talk to your boss about re-prioritizing your assignments.
Delegate where you can.
If you have items on your to-do list that someone else can handle, ask them to take it on. You might need to get permission from your boss, but doing so will not only clear your schedule for more important jobs but also help you to focus without stressing about your workload. You’ll be able to maintain a reasonable workload and have the energy and drive to handle it all.
Create a plan.
Before the end of the day, make a plan for the next day. Write down your tasks and goals and prioritize them so you know what you have to do and when. This might need to be revised during the day. However, it gives you a big-picture look at what you need to get done and if you have more time or room to take on more.
Take breaks and vacations.
One of the biggest factors that can lead to burnout is not taking breaks or vacations. Some employees think they are sending the message of just how committed they are. But actually, in the long run, they will face burnout that can derail their career. So, when it comes to keeping boundaries, make sure that taking time off is part of your plan.
Set limits at home.
If you struggle with taking work calls after hours and checking emails, then this can cause issues with your personal life. Sometimes, these are urgent and must be addressed. But in most cases, they can wait until business hours. So, set boundaries and request that only urgent matters be communicated outside of work hours.
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