Ending work on time (and I mean both physically working AND thinking about work) is one of the most important things you can learn how to do. Learning how to uphold your work/life boundaries will have you enjoying your downtime AND feeling refreshed and ready to head back into work on Monday.
When you don't do this, you'll work less efficiently, you'll start taking more and more breaks and time off, and eventually, it'll lead to burnout or wanting to quit your job/business.
The four biggest reasons I see for NOT upholding these time boundaries are:
1. Doubting that you've done enough so you keep doing more and more and more - way beyond what you've planned to do for the day.
This stems from a lack of self-trust. This is a more in-depth topic that I'm not to dive into today. Essentially, what I mean by 'a lack of self-trust' is: you don't trust that your decisions are the right one so you overcompensate by overworking.
Your work is to decide on both your work tasks (from a realistic place - see point 4 below) AND work hours ahead of time. Write those down. And then, when it's time to go, do not give into the urge to do more. This is how you learn how to trust yourself. The ONLY way you can learn how to do this is to stop overworking.
2. Not wanting to upset someone else.
This looks like saying yes and taking work on when you don't actually have the capacity. Or staying in meetings longer than you're supposed to because you're worried what people will think if you leave on time* (I know, in some situations you really "can't" leave - if that's you, question if it's true. It may be, and if it's true - I'm not talking about those situations.) The ONLY people that will be upset with you uphold these time boundaries are people that struggle with boundaries themselves. As humans we crave certainty - upholding those time boundaries are one way to cultivate that safety within ourselves (and we can gift that to others, as well - they will likely not see it as a gift if they too struggle with boundaries, fyi).
Your work is to say no and let other people have their own feelings and thoughts about you. They already are.
3. Sloppy work habits.
This looks like procrastinating. Not having a clear plan. Avoiding your plan in lieu of others' needs. Feeling frantic so you stop and start a million different tasks. Being really responsive to other people but neglecting yourself. Reactive Urgency is your middle name. Sloppy work habits most often come from one of two places: not planning well or people pleasing.
Your work is to learn how to plan well, including deciding ahead of time what you will be responsive to and what you'll save for a later time.
4. Not planning your day realistically.
You're over-stuffing your day and trying to overcome your fear of, "I have too much to do and not enough time," with fantasy planning. When you plan too many things, you'll get less done than if you take the time to plan strategically and get the most important things done. You'll end up feeling busy and reactive instead of calm and productive. This is you if you're terrified to slow down and think you for sure don't have time to plan. You have too much to do.
Your work is feel the discomfort of slowing down and taking the time to look at your day and responsibilities and plan realistically.
Which one sounds most like you? What are your biggest takeaways from this post? Tell me in the comments!
See you next week,
Gretta
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