Are you always on, always available?

Setting time boundaries often gets overlooked in today's ‘grind culture’. There are so many expectations about staying connected that we find it difficult to create healthy time boundaries. This then gives others permission to overstep them.

So what happens when we do set time boundaries?

Here's a timely story...

We were recently running an on-site leadership workshop with a small team from a tech company. We went round the table and asked each of the nine people about their relationship with work/life balance.

Some just stared blankly back at us. Others went flush in the face, admitting they are pretty much always available for work. They had embarrassment in their voices and a slump in their bodies. There was a sense of defeated acceptance.

Only one of the people was very clear about his boundaries. And the interesting thing is that he didn't even have to say it. His manager clearly stated - on his behalf - that this person clocks off at 5.30pm every day to be with his family and won't respond again until the next morning. The manager said this with respect and reverence.

Here's a thought experiment that may help...

Fast forward to the end of your life. You're on your death bed, deep in reflection. What would you rather remember; all the times you said yes to prioritising yourself and your needs; the people you love, your family, friends, children, pets, special moments of connection and belonging? Or that you ticked everything off your to-do list, made every work meeting, and bent over backwards because you were always available to serve someone else's agenda? Hmmm...

You've got this.

Love,

PS. Next week we'll show you a framework to help you set clear boundaries. 🧭

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