Best Approaches for Setting Boundaries at Work

Lets talk about boundaries.... My first manager at Salesforce Jennifer Griffith told me - whatever you do, assert boundaries with your time here because a company in hyper growth mode will take every minute of time you are willing to give. And it was some of the best advice I have received because every time I found myself burnt out at work it, was because I had leaky boundaries around my time and the activities I valued. It's scary to assert boundaries at work - for fear of being left behind by the person willing to give up all of their time for their job. But if you spend time in a place long enough - you see the people who give up everything for work eventually burn out - because you can only pour from an empty cup for so long. Boundaries say a lot about a person..... 1 - Strong self-worth and self-motivation - If you can't commit to yourself and your own needs, you likely struggle to do it for other people. 2 - Energy and Motivation - If you have a strong commitment to the things in your life that fill your cup it means you are showing up to work with energy. 3 - Communication and confidence - Communicating boundaries is uncomfortable and one of the keys to growing is a willingness to have tough conversations. 4 - Work smarter not harder - You own your calendar, it doesn't own you - by having a very clear amount of time to work around your non-negotiables, it forces you to learn how to work smarter and organize your day for efficiency. And as a leader - demonstrating commitment to your personal boundaries gives other people permission to do the same. This creates a supportive and positive work culture. If you are burnt out - it's time to assert your boundaries. Start by committing to 3 things that you know energize you. Add them to your calendar and DO NOT MOVE THEM under any circumstances for 30 days. And set a reminder in 30 days to check in with yourself and see if your level of burn out has changed.

A Chief of Staff’s strength isn’t always being available.     It’s trusting themselves enough to step back.      As a Chief of Staff, your team and your leader relies on you… a lot.      You’re their go-to. Their problem solver. Their safety net.     The one who keeps things running even when they’re in back-to-back meetings, on the road, or deep in strategy mode.     But here’s the thing: you can’t be any of those things if you’re burnt out.     Boundaries aren’t about stepping away from your responsibilities. They’re about ensuring you can lead effectively when it matters most.     So, how do you set boundaries while keeping trust intact?     Start here:     🟡 Set Clear Expectations     ↳ Define your availability and stick to it. Communicate your “office hours” and when you’re off the clock.    ↳ Align with your exec on what truly needs your attention versus what can be delegated.     🟡 Define ‘Urgent’ Together     ↳ Not everything needs an immediate response. Decide what’s urgent and what can wait.    ↳ Protect focus by distinguishing between urgent and routine tasks.     🟡 Use Technology Wisely     ↳ Automate where possible. Set clear OOO messages and delegate tasks.    ↳ Turn off unnecessary notifications so you’re not distracted by things that can wait.     🟡 Lead by Example     ↳ Respect your boundaries, and others will too. Model sustainable leadership and make time for rest.    ↳ When you prioritize well-being, your team will follow suit.     🟡 Create a Handoff System     ↳ Build a capable team that can manage in your absence. Define clear roles and responsibilities.    ↳ Set processes that empower others to take over without confusion.     🟡 Retrain Yourself to Disconnect     ↳ Trust your team to handle things while you’re offline. The work will still be there when you return.    ↳ Rest is part of leadership. Recharge to be more focused and effective.     🟡 Reassess Regularly     ↳ Periodically check in with your team to see if boundaries are working or need adjusting.    ↳ Get feedback and stay open to adapting as your role or team evolves.     The best Chiefs of Staff don’t just manage chaos—they manage their energy.     Because when you set boundaries, you show up sharper. More focused. More effective.     So, say it with me:     “I won’t be checking email, so if you need anything, please give me a call.”     And then? Actually, disconnect.    In the comments: How do you set boundaries in a high-demand role?     ♻ Share to help spread awareness of the Chief of Staff role.       👋 Follow Maggie Olson for daily CoS & leadership insights.  

Stop apologizing for setting boundaries at work. Stand firm with these 15 moves: I spent (many) years apologizing for needing focused work time, taking earned vacations, and saying no to draining commitments. Until I realized: Setting boundaries isn't about being difficult - it's about teaching people how to value you. Here are the exact scripts that changed everything: 1. Setting healthy boundaries in high-pressure environments ↳Use calendar color-coding to signal focus time vs. collaborative hours 2. Taking their full vacation time to prevent burnout ↳Schedule mini-breaks leading up to longer vacations for smoother transitions 3. Disconnecting completely during personal time ✨ ↳Designate a shutdown ritual (close all tabs, clear desk...) to end the work day 4. Declining meetings without clear agendas ↳Offer weekly Office Hours as an alternative to ad-hoc meetings 5. Asking for compensation that matches their value ↳Document revenue generated + costs saved by your work 6. Speaking up about unrealistic deadlines ↳Develop metrics based on past projects to accurately predict timelines 7. Prioritizing mental health over hustle culture ↳Create (and use!) quiet spaces designated for quick mental breaks. Lead by example here ✨ 8. Saying no to unpaid extra responsibilities ↳Try: "Thanks for thinking of me, let's discuss the value exchange" 9. Leaving toxic work environments without guilt ↳Write a Clean Exit memo for yourself - focus on your future plans, not past problems 10. Requiring work-life integration that works for them ↳Create Life-First Blocks, and schedule personal commitments before work ones (I do this every Sunday) 11. Standing firm on their expertise in meetings ↳Start responses with "Based on my experience handling X similar situations..." 🙌🏼 12. Taking time to think before committing to projects ↳Consider: "Would I want this on my plate a month from now?" 13. Protecting their team from unnecessary stress ↳Ask "Is this urgent, important, or interesting?" for every new task 14. Choosing growth over comfort zones ↳Design mini experiments to test new approaches and build confidence 15. Leading with empathy instead of authority ↳Spend 2 hrs monthly doing your team's most challenging tasks - share what you learn as a group ✨ Your boundaries are a blueprint for how you deserve to be treated. No apologies needed. Which boundary can you work on setting this week (without apologizing)? -- ♻️ Repost to boost your network's confidence 🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for daily insights on building confidence & setting powerful boundaries

I lost a promotion for not being "available enough." I was already: • Working 60+ hours weekly • Answering emails at 11pm • Taking calls on weekends A month later, I quit. BEST decision ever. The "always available" trap destroys careers silently. You think your responsiveness is impressive. Your boss sees it as expected. Your peers start avoiding you. Your health deteriorates slowly. When you're always available, people assume: • Your time isn't valuable • Your work isn't important • Your skills aren't in demand Sometimes, the most valuable people are the least available. The playbook that changed everything for me: 1. Create scarcity. Block "deep work" time on your calendar. Turn notifications off. Don't apologize for focusing. 2. Set clear boundaries. I tell new clients: "I'm offline after 5pm and on weekends." This doesn't scare good clients away. It attracts clients who respect professionals. 3. Increase your standards. The most in-demand people have the strictest boundaries. Their time is protected. Their energy is protected. Their focus is protected. Here's what happened after I quit and set boundaries: • My hourly rate tripled • My client quality improved • My stress level plummeted • My work got dramatically better Because boundaries aren't selfish. They're strategic. What boundary do you need to establish today? ---- If this hit home, repost ♻️ it And give me a follow → Nick Maciag 🙌

'Always on' isn't commitment. It's the fastest path to burnout. I learned this the hard way. Running on empty isn't sustainable—and it’s not success. Here are 7 principles I’ve learned to protect my peace, set boundaries, and thrive: ❌ Old Principle: Keep emotions out of work. ✅ New Principle: Lead with emotional intelligence. ↳ Use empathy to strengthen relationships. ↳ Handle conflicts with clarity and compassion. ❌ Old Principle: Prioritize work over rest. ✅ New Principle: Schedule rest to fuel your work. ↳ Schedule breaks like meetings—they’re non-negotiable. ↳ Disconnect fully during downtime to recharge. ❌ Old Principle: Solve everything yourself. ✅ New Principle: Delegate and empower others. ↳ Ask, “Who can handle this 80% as well as I can?” ↳ Focus on what only you can do. ❌ Old Principle: Multi-task to get more done. ✅ New Principle: Focus to get it done right. ↳ Group similar tasks to maximize efficiency. ↳ Shut off distractions during key work blocks. ❌ Old Principle: Say yes to everything. ✅ New Principle: Guard your time fiercely. ↳ Set clear boundaries upfront. ↳ “Let me check and get back to you.” ❌ Old Principle: Follow a rigid schedule. ✅ New Principle: Flexibility fuels creativity. ↳ Leave room for spontaneity. ↳ Be open to opportunities when inspiration strikes. ❌ Old Principle: Busy equals important. ✅ New Principle: Purposeful beats busy. ↳ Review weekly tasks—what can you eliminate? ↳ Spend more time on high-impact activities. The real secret? It’s not just about working smarter. It’s about setting boundaries that protect your peace and balance. Which of these new principles will you apply first? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ Repost to help your network reclaim their time, energy, and boundaries! ➕ Follow Marco Franzoni for more insights on thriving at work and in life.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗢 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿? Imagine if you could set boundaries while maintaining respect. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: • Many employees want to say no to unreasonable requests from their manager but feel trapped.    • They’re scared of damaging their relationship, being judged, or appearing uncooperative. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁: • They lack the confidence to express themselves assertively.    • They fear backlash, such as being labeled difficult or lazy.    • They don’t know how to say no while maintaining professionalism and respect. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺: • "If I say no, I’ll lose my manager’s trust."    • "I’ll look incompetent if I can’t handle everything."    • "I don’t have the right to set boundaries." 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗜𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱: • Burnout from taking on too much.    • Resentment towards the manager and job dissatisfaction.    • Loss of productivity and inability to focus on important tasks. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 • Understand that saying no is not a sign of weakness.    • It’s a way to prioritize your work and ensure quality.    • Your manager values honest communication more than overcommitment. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟯-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 1. 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: "I understand this task is important…"     2. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: "…but my current workload doesn’t allow me to give it the attention it deserves."     3. 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: "Can we prioritize this for next week, or is there someone else who can assist?" 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 • Stay calm and respectful.    • Show that you care about the team’s goals, but be firm about your boundaries.    • Assertiveness isn’t about being rude—it’s about being clear and confident. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝘁: When I first struggled with saying no, I’d either overcommit or avoid the conversation entirely. 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. Once I learned assertive communication, I realized I could set boundaries and maintain respect. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: I’ve coached professionals who were overwhelmed by their workload. By practicing assertive communication, they were able to regain control of their time, earn respect from their managers, and perform better overall. 𝗪𝗜𝗜𝗙𝗠: (𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲?) Struggling to say no without guilt? 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂. • Learn how to set boundaries. • Communicate confidently and clearly. • Build trust while protecting your time and energy. 𝗣.𝗦. DM me for a free discovery call. #peakimpactmentorship  #leadership

Without good boundaries, you won’t guard mental bandwidth as a software engineer. Without bandwidth, you won’t be able to deep‑work with focus as a software engineer. Without deep focus, burnout will come in and your momentum will break….. Avoiding burnout while successfully delivering as a software engineer requires conscious effort and balance. Here are some practical strategies I’ve learned over the last 2 decades from my career in tech: 1. Set clear boundaries — define work hours and stick to them. — avoid checking email/slack late at night or on weekends. — communicate your availability clearly with your team. 2. Prioritize deep work — protect your calendar from excessive meetings. — block focused coding/design time to reduce context switching. — learn to say “no” to unnecessary tasks. 3. Align with purpose — choose projects that excite or challenge you. — look for roles that allow impact beyond just coding — Ex: mentorship, architecture, product influence. 4. Delegate and collaborate — trust your team. you don’t need to solve everything. — empower junior engineers; it helps them grow and lightens your load. 5. Keep learning, but pace yourself — learn in small doses, books, newsletters, short courses. — avoid pressure to keep up with every new trend. 6. Care for your body and mind — get 7–8 hours of sleep. practice yoga nidra! — move regularly: walks, stretching, gym,  — practice mindfulness or journaling to declutter your mind. 7. Redefine success for you — success isn't just shipping code —  it's building sustainable systems, enabling others, and staying healthy. —  learn to value consistency over heroic efforts. 8. Seek support — talk to a mentor or coach when you're feeling overwhelmed. — normalize discussing burnout in your team. Also make room for joy in your life.  — reconnect with hobbies. — celebrate small wins. — take vacations without guilt. — In a week, do something which energizes you! Remember: Longevity in tech comes from working smart, not endlessly.

"You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm." That quote saved my career. And it’s one every employee needs to hear. Most of us are afraid of setting boundaries. We fear disappointing others more than burning ourselves out. Think about that for a second. We'd rather: • Work through lunch (again) • Take that 10 pm call • Say yes to another project • Push our limits until we break To avoid risking someone being temporarily disappointed. The irony? Weak boundaries don't just lead to burnout. They breed resentment. They damage relationships. They make us less effective at the very jobs we’re trying to protect. Here’s what I’ve learned - both personally and professionally: Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re essential. They protect your well-being, your career, and your energy. One of my favorite reminders: "Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously." Effective boundaries look like this: 1. Define your role in writing. Document your duties, expectations, and any changes. 2. Communicate limits early and clearly. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. 3. Document overreach, shifting priorities, and extra demands. Keep a written record. 4. Watch for pressure tactics. “Team player” language often hides unreasonable asks. 5. Know when flexibility becomes exploitation. Helping occasionally is fine, but doing three jobs is not. 6. Use facts, not feelings. Anchor boundaries in workload, fairness, and documented expectations. You don’t owe anyone your exhaustion. You owe yourself clarity, strategy, and self-respect. Follow for more on how to protect your career without sacrificing yourself. #EmploymentAttorney #CaliforniaEmploymentLaw #EmployeeRights Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific legal situation.

🔒 One practice transformed my entire career trajectory—and it might just save yours too. I used to wear "calendar availability" as a badge of honor. My schedule? Open to anyone. My focus? Fragmented by every meeting request and notification. The result? I was constantly busy but rarely productive. Everything changed when I implemented this non-negotiable: I stopped letting other people run my calendar. Three key insights from my journey: 1️⃣ Most workplace distractions aren't about willpower—they're systemic, built into our work culture and habits. The solution isn't trying harder; it's redesigning your environment. 2️⃣ Time-blocking isn't selfish; it's strategic. By protecting space for deep work, I actually deliver more value to my team and organization. 3️⃣ The people who appear "always available" aren't necessarily the most productive or valuable. Often, they're the most distracted. This boundary-setting practice became so instrumental to my success that it formed a cornerstone of my book "Indistractable." The research was clear: the most productive people aren't those who say yes to everything—they're those who fiercely protect their attention. What's your non-negotiable for staying focused and effective? Share below—I'm genuinely curious what's working for you. #𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 #𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 #𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸

For years, I said yes to client demands, believing that's what "good service" meant. I used to think it meant being available 24/7. But what I've learned is this: when you set no boundaries, you serve nobody well. Not your family. Not your existing clients. Not even the demanding client themselves. I now have a simple rule: I work about 8 hours a day—no more. This isn't laziness. It's deliberate. As Cal Newport points out, there's an infinite supply of work for knowledge workers. The work will never be "done." So I had to make a choice: • Work around the clock trying to finish everything • Or set firm boundaries and prioritize ruthlessly I chose boundaries. When clients now say, "This has to be done tonight," I respond with clarity: "I'm not the lawyer for you. That's not what I do." What happens next? • Some clients fire me (good) • Some adjust their expectations (better) • All get better representation (best) Because here's what I've found: a well-rested attorney who's present with his family makes better decisions than one who's constantly exhausted and resentful. Like Parkinson's Law says: "Work expands to fill the time available for its completion." If I give myself unlimited time, the work takes unlimited time. When I stick to 8 hours, somehow the important stuff still gets done. The clients who stay understand this boundary isn't about laziness—it's about sustainability. And over time, they start respecting my time more than the clients who left ever did. Setting boundaries isn't selfish. It's the only way to serve clients effectively for the long haul. Follow for more insights on building a practice that serves both your clients and your life. #LegalPractice #Boundaries #WorkLifeBalance