BLOG: Setting Boundaries

Setting Boundaries

As we enter the holiday season (and the stress that brings), this is a great time to discuss burnout and how to prevent it. Psychology Today defines burnout as “a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress.”

As entrepreneurs, I think we can all agree there is a significant amount of stress involved in owning your own practice. One of the ways we can reduce our work-related stress is to set boundaries. Having boundaries preserves our emotional energy and helps us achieve higher productivity.

Here are 6 ways to set boundaries:

• Determine your priorities and communicate them. Assuming the role of the CEO of your practice is a big step in this direction. Delegate tasks that can be done by someone else on your team, provide enough training that your team can do those tasks effectively, and give them the autonomy to carry them out. 
• Set clear expectations about your working hours. You shouldn’t be getting non-emergency work-related texts or calls after the end of your defined workday.
• Remember that it is okay to say “no”. This is one we all struggle with. Women tend to feel we have to do anything that is asked of us. However, just because someone asks you to join a committee, attend a meeting, or host an event doesn't mean you have to say "yes".
• Take breaks and time off. Studies show that time off is important for reducing stress and improving mental well-being. Taking a vacation, or even a stay-cation, is necessary to re-charge your batteries and makes you more productive in the long run.
• Avoid people-pleasing. This is another tough one. You know the saying, “you can please some people, some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all of the time”? It is absolutely true. We have all had THAT client that seems to actively work at not being happy about something. If you have your systems in place and are delivering consistent, exemplary customer service, then there will be few people that have anything to complain about. Anyone else is not a Right-Fit Client. The same principle applies to staff, friends, colleagues, etc.
• Remember why you are setting boundaries.

Setting boundaries helps reduce stress, increases our work satisfaction, and gives us more time for personal activities.

How to Connect With Renee

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Email: renee@theprivatepracticecoach.com

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Renee, the owner of The Private Practice Coach shares with clients her knowledge and expertise gained over 30 thirty years of building a profitable, multi-disciplinary private practice.