Setting Boundaries in a 24/7 World

Essential Tips for Remote Business Leaders

Working remotely has its perks, but if you’re a business leader with a team that works throughout the day, the drawback could be that you’re forced to work 24/7. Or at least it seems that way. There is always a new issue coming up or a question from one of your agents, and the requests seem to come in day and night. You need to set boundaries that separate your professional and personal life so you can have time to breathe and get the best of both worlds.

This guide will provide tips for setting boundaries, creating a separate work area, and discovering new rituals that will help you take back your personal time.

Set Boundaries

To succeed in life, you need to have a work-life balance. Working is essential for providing for yourself and your well-being. However, if you don’t get proper rest and spend time with people outside of work, you could begin to feel burned out, which could affect your work.

Even if you’re a salaried employee and your team works more than eight hours daily, that doesn’t mean you have to be at your desk night and day. You need to set boundaries, which should include cementing your working hours. Talk with your team and managers to determine your set working hours so everyone is on the same page, and try to stick to them. You can ensure that you adhere to your boundaries in several ways:

• Create an alarm on your phone or computer just in case you lose track of time.
• Set your email to send an “out of office” reminder at the end of the day.
• Message your team at the end of each shift to let them know you’re leaving and to answer any final questions.

Boundaries can also include setting your responsibilities. If your role is to manage the team, then stick to those job duties. However, if an employee calls out, and it’s not your job to fill in for them, work with management on a solution so you’re not stuck behind your desk for longer.

Create A Separation Between Work And Family

While you need to set boundaries that prevent you from working when you should be off the clock, you also need to have a boundary in place so that your family life isn’t interrupting your work. A great solution to this quandary is to create a clear separation between work and family with a distinct work area.

A dedicated workspace has various benefits, including a separation from potential distractions. If you work from the couch in the living room, it can be too easy to have the urge to turn on the TV. A dedicated workspace can help you to focus on work and nothing else. Plus, private space can also be helpful when you’re completing employee assessments, and you don’t want family members walking around. Finally, a dedicated workspace gives you an area to leave when you’re done working. If you work where you also relax, you could blur the lines between work and play and accomplish less throughout the day.

Finding a separate workplace can be challenging, especially if you have a large family, but you may have a special sanctuary available in the garage. Converting the garage into a home office will take some work, but the efforts will be well worth it. Start by decluttering the space, so you have enough space for your desk. If you have clients at your home, clear a space for a couch. Next, you’ll want to incorporate the office essentials that will allow you to work all year, including electricity, heating, and air conditioning. Look into ways to save on your energy bill so you’re spending too much with this new addition. Finally, add some energy-efficient LED lighting if your office doesn’t have windows.

Beyond choosing a space, there are other ways that you can stay in the work mindset during your office hours. Make it a point to wear more professional clothes than you would around the house. Also, even if you’re working from home, take lunch and 15-minute breaks. When you return, you’ll know it’s time to return to work.

Create A Ritual For The End Of The Day

When you work at an office, it can be easier to transition from your professional to your personal life, especially when you commute home, and you have time to decompress. However, when you work 20 feet from the living room and your family, leaving the office or separating yourself from your duties can be harder. What you need is a transition ritual.

A transition ritual can take many forms. It may include limiting cell phone usage. Even if your job requires you to be on call, set a limit to the amount of time you spend on your phone after your normal working hours or reduce the number of times you check it throughout the night.

Another ritual might include scheduling time with your loved ones after work. If you typically end work at 5 pm, create a calendar event for 5:30 pm to spend time with your family. That way, you know you’re supposed to end work at a certain time so you can move on to your required rest and relaxation.

Conclusion

When you work from home, setting boundaries is essential for your family, your mental health, and your job success. Once you have a routine, show your team how to do the same so they also have a well-balanced life.

By Indiana Lee, BOSS contributor