Boundaries wanted-Remember You are only human
You are only human: Set boundaries
Take It On Tuesday!
It is so easy in times like this to just keep letting it pile on. We begin to take on superhuman traits and falsely think we actually have superpowers. I have bad news, you are only human. We know it doesn’t feel right, but we fear judgment regarding lack of commitment or an ability to handle “it” so we just keep pushing. But, in reality, true leaders create boundaries.
Earlier in my career, I had taken on a lot of projects in order to get ahead. At the same time, I was managing work, family, and community service. Because I was overextended, I was not showing up anywhere in the manner I desired. I failed to meet a client deliverable and the client gave me great advice. He said your inability to manage your time and deliverables speaks volumes about your inability to manage yourself and create boundaries. You must fix that if you want to stay on track to be a senior leader. Wow. So basically, translation no good deed goes unpunished. So, let me give you a few tips on creating boundaries for yourself and others::
Set clear expectations of what you are able to deliver and when -this is especially critical during this time.
If you are not able to make a commitment, communicate, and set a new deliverable as soon as possible.
Block out times for different tasks and advise others when you need focused time to be alone and/or work on a project.
If you are homeschooling, give yourself some flexibility and recognize this is not a perfect time to overcommit.
If you have competing priorities, communicate your priorities and if you are not able to handle it on your own, seek senior leadership and/or client input on prioritizing deliverables.
Creating boundaries lets everyone know you are in fact committed to being the best you, and that in the end is what matters.