One of the hardest things to do in both our professional and personal lives is learning how to set boundaries. Unfortunately, when we fail to set clear boundaries for ourselves, we also send the message to ourselves and those around us that our time is not valuable.
This is a message that is ultimately destructive to our sense of self-worth and our ability to perform.
To protect our health, our professional and academic careers, and our inter-personal relationships we need to be able to set clear boundaries by:
1. Getting Comfortable With Saying “No”
We’ve all been in positions where we’ve found ourselves taking on extra responsibilities for fear of being seen as lazy or not a team player. However, the danger in taking too much upon yourself is that you can start to feel insufficient in other areas of your life. This can contribute to fatigue and disrupts your personal growth.
Try saying now to a few small things every day. This can help you get comfortable with the idea and makes it easier to say no to larger requests in the future.
2. Learn to Put the Phone Away
Boundaries around technology and media consumption are among the hardest boundaries we need to set. Many people today feel the need to always be available, and many of us sleep with a phone nearby on a nightstand.
Try setting your phone to silent for at least an hour each afternoon, and try setting it to do-not-disturb after a certain time in the evening until the next morning. The ultimate goal is to learn that even the most important messages can wait.
3. Make Sure That Your Health & Happiness Come First
The most important thing you can do is remember that your own needs come first when it comes to your health and happiness. Set boundaries that protect them in all situations. While this requires more foresight and planning, the efforts you make towards your own peace-of-mind will have lasting positive effects as you navigate your personal and academic landscapes.
While everyone benefits from a happier and healthier you, YOU are the most important beneficiary.