How to set boundaries at work
Setting boundaries - or, rather, the failure to do so - is a really common theme we see among the surveyors we work with at LionHeart. In many ways it goes with the territory as many surveyors find themselves overloaded with demanding projects, tasks and multiple targets, or the stress of managing a workload alongside study or APC revision.
The impact is that, very quickly, it can feel like any control is sliding away, so the work stresses just accelerate and feel even more unmanageable. In some cases, this can lead to a burnout situation.
Sometimes the situation is exacerbated by our own enthusiasm or desire to please and do well at work, which may lead people to take on more than they can manage at any one time. While brief periods of "full on" may be OK, working at that capacity long-term simply isn't sustainable for your mental or physical health.
The 24-hour nature of modern - and global - work life can lead to an always-on kind of culture. And, while having the ability to answer emails late at night from the comfort of your own sofa or answer a call on holiday in a far-flung place may be convenient for urgent situations, when all-encompassing availability starts to become the norm then you might need to look at setting better boundaries.
So, what can help?
Time management approaches
- Switch off email alerts and designate times to look at them and action
- Prioritise tasks according to urgency and reduce distractions
- Allow time for the 'crisis', or any unexpected demands that crop up
- Allocate specific times for more complex work where possible
Avoid the 'keep working till you drop' approach...
- Set up mini breaks in your day to recharge or rest, or do something completely different
- Avoid automatically saying yes to other people's requests - no matter how much you want to please!
- Balance intense work with more routine activities
- Establish a position of regular work hours where possible that fit in with your other commitments
Managing expectations (your own and other people's!)
- Decide what can be realistically delivered in a certain time, allowing for some contingencies
- Establish where resources or guidance might be available to help
It can be quite hard to start defining your own boundaries, particularly if you've not given it much thought before. And if you're the kind of person who always says yes, saying no (or even 'not right now') is wholly unfamiliar territory.
That's where coaching can come in.
It can help you by providing a step back from the world of work demands - teaching you to look more objectively at the behaviour and approaches you take that may hold you back, even without you realising.
An experienced coach can then guide you to explore new approaches and establish some boundaries that will help create some control in busy hectic work schedules, and therefore a better balance.
Far from holding you back in your career, many of the clients we've worked with previously have told us that not only do they feel healthier and happier, but newly refreshed and focused at work.
After all, you can't pour from an empty cup...
Clare Davis has been a support officer at LionHeart for over 20 years and is also a qualified coach.
Read more:
Don't miss our brand new Avoiding Burnout webinar this Stress Awareness Month!
With the multiple demands of modern life, a recent survey found one in five workers feel stressed more days than they don't - and half are close to burning out altogether.
This one-hour webinar will help you understand the signs and triggers of burnout and what you can do to avoid it.
Wed 26th Apr 2023 12:00 to 13:00
