Blog Layout

Avoid Burnout: 7 Ways To Set Boundaries At Work

Bridget Baggett • October 28, 2024

Avoid Burnout: 7 Ways To Set Boundaries At Work

Setting boundaries at work is like installing an invisible fence for your well-being—it keeps the good stuff in and the not-so-good stuff out. It's about maintaining that sweet spot where you feel productive, respected, and downright good about your job. Ready to be the architect of your own professional Zen garden? Here we go:


Know Your Limits


Understand your capacity and recognize when you’re reaching your limits. Ask yourself, "What’s my workload happy place?" Understand what you can handle without feeling like you're juggling flaming torches on a unicycle.  Just like a car needs gas to run, you need breaks to recharge. Don’t wait until you’re running on fumes – schedule regular breaks and don't feel guilty about taking them. Your mind and body will thank you.


Speak Up


Don't be afraid to politely decline tasks that are beyond your capabilities or outside of your job description.  There is no need to beat around the bush. If you’re swamped, say it with a smile. "Hey team, my plate's looking like a Thanksgiving dinner.  Can we adjust?"  It’s not being lazy; it’s recognizing your limitations and being honest about them. And if you find yourself overloaded with work, don't be shy about asking for help. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work (and prevents burnout).


Set Realistic Deadlines


We're all guilty of overpromising and underdelivering at times. We want to impress our boss, make our clients happy, and show off our superhero-like abilities. But let's be real—we're only human. Set realistic deadlines for yourself and stick to them. Don't succumb to the pressure of unrealistic expectations from others. If you find yourself struggling to meet a deadline, communicate with your team and ask for an extension or help.

 

Set Email and Message Boundaries


Not every email is a bat signal. Decide when you're on and off the clock to check messages. Your brain will thank you for the rest. And if your boss or co-workers are constantly sending you urgent emails outside of work hours, it's okay to kindly remind them of your boundaries.  Maybe send them a meme about work-life balance as a subtle reminder or turn on your out-of-office notifications to signal that you will address their issue within "working hours."


Say No to Overtime


Unless it's necessary, avoid working overtime. If possible, try not to bring your work home.  Your free time is precious and should be spent with friends and family, or just doing things that bring you joy. Don't let work consume your life. Set boundaries and stick to them. Plus, studies have shown that overworking can decrease productivity and lead to burnout.


Prioritize Your Tasks & Delegate When Possible


Start your day by asking, "What's going to make me feel like a superhero today?" Tackle those big wins first. Then, delegate tasks that are time-consuming or outside of your expertise. Remember, you don't have to do everything yourself. Plus, delegating tasks not only helps you manage your workload but also allows others to develop new skills.


Unplug, Recharge, And Practice Self-Care


When it comes to work-life balance, unplugging is key. Take breaks throughout the day to step away from your screen and recharge. Use your lunch break to do something you enjoy, whether it's taking a walk, reading a book, or catching up with a friend. Additionally, make time for self-care activities outside of work, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish—it's necessary for avoiding burnout.


Remember, setting boundaries isn’t about building walls; it’s about drawing lines in the sand that keep you feeling energized, fulfilled, and ready to conquer the work world. Here’s to working smart, not just hard! And if all else fails, just remember to breathe and have a good laugh. Because, let's face it, sometimes work can be downright ridiculous, and it's important to not take ourselves too seriously.  So go ahead, set those boundaries, and embrace your inner Zen master at work!



Are you a Shaker, Mover, or Doer, Join our network!


Are you currently experiencing burnout? We can help... Grab our Power Hour Session to get a customized approach to meet your professional needs.



Sound Off  📢  Share some tips that work for you to help avoid burnout!


Be Kind & Share! 💌



About the author


Bridget Baggett is a Career Strategist and a Diversity Consultant that assist professionals with their career journey. She helps career-oriented professionals navigate the competitive workforce by setting attainable career goals that lead to gainful employment, promotions, salary increases, and meaningful career changes. She is the founder of the Twisted Career Society, a network of professionals that inspires, educates, and innovates the global workforce


10 Things You Should Delete from Your Resume
By Bridget Baggett November 4, 2024
Alright folks, here’s the lowdown on what you need to get rid of on your resume! Before you shoot it off to your dream job, take a moment to scrub these 10 things off your resume. Trust me, doing this will bring your most marketable accomplishments to the forefront instead of being hidden in the fluff!
RUN!!! 10 Red Flags To Look For In An Interview
By Bridget Baggett November 2, 2024
Navigating the interview process can feel like walking through a maze, right? You’re on a mission to find that perfect job, but it's not just about impressing potential employers. It's equally important to keep your eyes peeled for those subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) warning signs that might indicate a workplace isn't the right fit for you. Here are 10 red flags that deserve your attention during an interview!
10 Tips: How To Land A Job In A Bad Economy
By Bridget Baggett October 30, 2024
Finding a job in a down market or bad economy can be particularly challenging, but with the right strategies, you can improve your chances of success. Here are 10 tips to help you navigate your job search during tough times!
How Long Will It Take To Find A Job?
By Bridget Baggett October 2, 2020
Since unemployment is currently on the rise (10.2%) and layoffs are a reality, this question has been asked several times. And though the internet is filled with guesstimates, estimates, and crystal ball theories, they are all just educated guesses driven by unstable variables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has done most of the heavy lifting and reported back in May 2020 that the average duration of a job search was 7.7 weeks, so roughly two months. But that figure is meaningless to those that have been unemployed for 3-4 months to-date. This data is unfortunately based on a Pre-COVID-19 economy, and due to the record-high unemployment claims, it’s not a good indication of our new reality.
Top 5 Industries That Will Always Be In-Demand
By Bridget Baggett October 2, 2020
Regardless of how hard the economy is hit, some industries will always be in demand. These industries will continue to grow while providing innovation and technological developments to the masses. Over the decades, some industries attempt to keep up with the rapidly changing demands while using archaic traditional methods only to become obsolete and made irrelevant by innovative technology. Some industries are flat out necessary for our safety and survival. Industries that cater to our essential existence will always continue to grow and be in high demand. For this reason, here are the top 5 industries that aren’t going anyway soon.
Top 10 Tips for Searching for a Job during a Pandemic or Recession
By Bridget Baggett October 1, 2020
First and foremost, stop asking for advice from your family, friends, & coworkers on how to pursue your career journey when many of them haven’t even figured out their own. Then you have the Negative Nelly and Debbie Downer that will talk you right out of pursing potential opportunities. Though a recession may have decreased the potential opportunities in some industries, it has created opportunities in others. You have to do your homework and understand how your skills transfer to the new emerging markets.
Career Change Leveraging a Recession to Reinvent Your Career
By Bridget Baggett October 1, 2020
When people think of recession, they visualize mass layoffs, downsizing, plummeting sales, bailouts, and bankruptcies. That is nothing more than a long spelling for CHANGE . A little known fact about recessions---they are the epicenter for innovation . They push the boundaries of survival and existence. Either you make the cut, change, and adapt or become irrelevant and obsolete. We have seen many examples of companies that have gone up in flames because they couldn’t keep up with the economic shift and the new way we do business. Employment is no different. As companies make the necessary changes to remain significant and still provide a product or service that the market demands, they are also creating new opportunities to support this new market space. A good example would be the K-12 and Higher Education industry . When everything shifted online, the demand for instructional designers, course creators, digital developers, LMS Administrators tripled overnight. I know this may not be the most popular opinion, but there is a silver lining in every dark cloud. That being said, here are five benefits of making a career change during a recession. It forces you to identify your passions It puts you in a position to re-evaluate your professional desires and helps you discover how it all fits in the changing economy. If you were recently laid off, were you relieved? Did you feel a weight lifted off your shoulders? Was there a moment of indifference or just “another job” mentality? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this recession was the momentum you needed to depart from a job that you already mentally checked out of a long time ago. It makes you re-examine your skills As the economy changes, new market demands surface. New market demands may require new processes, technology, and methodology. Are your skills up-to-date with the current market? If not, this is the perfect time to get that certification, take that class, or even learn a new skill to add to your resume. Your soft and hard skills will be one of the best differentiators between you and your competition. Check out Udemy, Coursera, and edX. They offer industry-specific courses that will give you the cutting-edge skills to make you more marketable to employers. It reduces competition You may be thinking, “If there are mass layoffs and high unemployment, how is my competition reduced?” As brutal as this may sound, you will see "Survival of the fittest" at play. This phrase originated from Darwinian evolutionary theory, which suggested that only the best adjusted to their environment are the most successful in surviving. In other words, many will not enhance their skills set, for whatever reason, and simply retire out of the workforce. Many will pursue their passion and switch career paths entirely. Many will take demotions and re-enter the workforce in entry-level positions, and many will start their own businesses. The list goes on and on, and hopefully, you get my point. As the competition thins out, you should be taking the necessary steps to STAND OUT! It forces you to think outside the box A recession will drive you in a position to make an intentional decision to distinguish yourself from the flock. You will learn to become more creative with your actions. Only applying to random job openings will not be enough. You will learn to have a laser focus on your goals and may even have to re-brand yourself and skill sets to meet the new demand. What are some accomplishments that make you unique? What is your elevator pitch? If you need help crafting your professional story, schedule a Power Hour Call to take your creativity to the next level. It forces you to have hindsight It gives you the ability to understand your current situation only after it has happened. Some job seekers saw the writing on the wall BEFORE the recession. What prevented you from taking action? What are some things you could’ve done to prepare for unemployment? What are some things you would've done differently? A recession will put things in perspective and force you to take precautionary measures for the worst in the future. Sound off 📢 What are some other benefits that you’ve observed during a recession that has helped your career change? Be Kind & SHARE! 💌 About the author Bridget Baggett is a Career Strategist and a Diversity Consultant that assist professionals with their career journey. She helps career-oriented professionals navigate the competitive workforce by setting attainable career goals that lead to gainful employment, promotions, salary increases, and meaningful career changes. She is the founder of the Twisted Career Society, a network of professionals that inspires, educates, and innovates the global workforce.
More Posts
Share by: