I have had conversations with many solopreneurs and they all have a set of boundaries in place. The thing is, only two to three out of every ten that I spoke with actually enforce those boundaries. Surprised? I’m not, because, to keep our clients happy, we sometimes think it’s ok to step over the line every now and then.
Maintaining boundaries is crucial for personal and professional well-being and healthy relationships. I will be the first to admit that boundaries are not easy to adhere to. It can be very hard, because there is always that one little thing just over the line that we tell ourselves that we can do, it’s not a big deal. It’s only this little thing it’ll be ok. So while we think it’s ok, one little thing leads to more things and bigger things.
But, it is NOT ok. I’m learning how to stick to my personal boundaries and I’m getting better. I do so much better with my professional boundaries than I do my personal boundaries. It was not easy when I first started sometime back in 2023 because before that I was very bad at it. To help you with enforcing client boundaries here are a few tips:
- First, practice to adhere to your own personal boundaries. 👍🏽 This can help you to maintain your professional boundaries. For example – for me, it can sometimes be hard to go to bed at a certain time. I make this plan, this schedule to go to bed every night no later than 10pm, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. When I don’t it’s because I literally tell myself I can get up later or I can sleep in. I can get up when I want to. I can make up the hours by sleeping in late, but that never happens (you can’t get that time back). I always get up the same time no matter what time I go to bed. I am getting better though. 😁
- Create a Client/Contractor Agreement. A one or two pages document that outlines your boundaries and expectations (for both parties) will be helpful for your clients. It helps to clear up any misunderstanding about how you operate your business. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or long one or two pages is all you need. It’s not a contract it’s an agreement. 👏🏽
This agreement can be a PDF document sent via email or through a client portal. A client portal helps to make everything progress easier for the client. They can go into the portal anytime they want. All their documents are right there so they just go in and ‘agree’ to the agreement and revisit it anytime they want. If sent in an email they just need to sign it and send it back to you keeping a copy for their records.
- Clearly communicate your boundaries. Make sure to add days and times that you can be reached by your client. Whether it be a zoom meeting, a phone call, a text, etc. It will be times when you are available for them, have a conversation with them, or them sending you a project that needs to be done sooner than later. It does not mean that they won’t call, email, or text you out of those times, you just don’t have to respond at the time. That is what the document helps to enforce. It lets the client know that they can reach you between 8 am and 1 pm and after 1 pm (unless it’s an emergency) you are off the clock for them. 🤔
- Regularly Reassess Boundaries. Life circumstances change, and so may your boundaries. Regularly reassess your needs and adjust your boundaries accordingly. 👍🏽
Remember, setting and maintaining boundaries is a skill that takes practice. It’s an ongoing process of self-reflection, communication, and adjustment. As you become more skilled at maintaining boundaries, you’ll likely experience improved well-being and more fulfilling relationships both personally and professionally. 🙂
Things I Can’t Live Without: My iPad
Way before I got my iPad I considered getting one but did not believe it necessary. When I started my business I gave it some more thought but still took a long time to decide on getting one. Now that I have it, I wonder why it took me so long to get it. I am beyond ecstatic and can only imagine what I would do without it! 💃🏽
It is very convenient because, unlike my laptop, it is much smaller and I can take it to all my meetings and take all the notes I need to without the flipping of notepad pages. I can work in Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office without distractions (social media apps not installed). 👍🏽
I can take pictures and if I need to I can even take calls and video chat. It’s like a compressed version of my laptop and phone rolled into one. 💃🏽 👏🏽
