As a successful woman, it can be challenging to find a balance between your professional and personal life. With so many responsibilities and demands, it can feel like there's not enough time in the day to accomplish everything. However, integrating a work-life balance is crucial for maintaining your mental and physical health, as well as your overall ability to achieve success on your terms.
According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, women who have a high level of work-life balance are more satisfied with their careers and personal lives. They also have a lower risk of burnout and higher levels of overall well-being. Another study by the National Sleep Foundation found that women who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to experience health problems like obesity, depression, and heart disease. Therefore, it's crucial to set boundaries to achieve work-life balance.
In this post, I want to share 3 simple tips successful women use to set boundaries:
BOUNDARY #1 – BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR TIME
High-achieving women professionals often feel they need to be available 24/7 to prove their dedication. However, this can quickly lead to burnout. Managing your time is a must. When we do not have clear boundaries, it is easy to work at home and not feel present with the people we love. When we are struggling at home this also affects our productivity. For example, Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, leaves work at 5:30 pm to spend time with her family.
🌟 SO TRY THIS: Try not to extend meetings beyond the scheduled time. Successful people are mindful of their own and others' time, especially when working virtually. See if there is a quicker or more effective way to complete tasks, like prioritizing your tasks and work that will help you and your team to progress.
BOUNDARY #2 – TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
Take a break when you need one and stop worrying about the things you can't control. Recognize when your actions are unproductive and reserve your energy for important matters. For example, it is easy to have your schedule filled up with things you need to do for others without taking time for yourself. But we also need time to recharge our batteries. Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, promotes the importance of sleep and unplugging from technology.
🌟 SO TRY THIS: Pick one day this week as your day of rest. Take this day to focus on yourself. Or reserve 10 minutes three times a day to take a breather, walk outside, or a power nap.
BOUNDARY #3 – SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Another key to boundary-setting is setting realistic expectations for yourself and others. This means being honest about what you can and can't do and communicating that clearly to your team and colleagues. It's okay to push back on unrealistic demands and negotiate for more realistic timelines.
🌟 SO TRY THIS: Create a courageous boundary by identifying one thing that is sucking your time and energy and write out what you would say, offer, and do. Then practice your statement and communicate your boundary to that person.
Achieving work-life balance as a boss lady is not easy, but it's crucial for your health, happiness, and success. You deserve to live a fulfilling and balanced life both personally and professionally.
Remember that boundary-setting is an ongoing process. It's not a one-and-done task, but rather something you need to continually evaluate and adjust as your priorities and circumstances change. Keep checking in with yourself and reassessing your boundaries to ensure you're staying aligned with your goals and values.
As always, I LOVE hearing from you… what are you taking from today’s post? Comment below or email me at info@brandystamper.com.
