7 Ways to Draw Professional Boundaries at Work
A lot of my coaching sessions are spent trying to figure out what the roadblocks are that are getting in my clients’ way. And when we talk about the things that stand between them and the thing they want to spend more time on (whether it’s family, a side hustle or a career change) the full-time job almost always comes up. Some of us spend most of day working on the thing that puts food on the table, which makes sense. But when your “day job” starts to get in the way of spending time doing the things you love, you might start to grow resentment for your job. Establishing professional boundaries at work to make time for creative play involves setting limits on your workload and schedule to ensure dedicated time for creative pursuits.
Here are some boundaries you can consider:
Designate times during your workday or week for creative play
Limit non-essential meetings - make sure you understand why your attendance is needed.
Identify your most critical tasks and projects - the highest priorities should get most of your time
If your work culture is one with heavy emails, establish specific times to check and respond to emails and messages - avoid answering every email as it comes in.
Separate your workspace from your creative play space - take a walk during your lunch break or use the conference room
Practice saying no to additional tasks or commitments that do not align with your priorities or creative goals
Practice effective time management - use your calendar to incorporate regular breaks and downtime.
If you need help with time management coaching, shoot me a note and I’ll send you resources that may help you improve (and respect) your calendaring boundaries.