How to Set Healthy Boundaries When Starting a New Job
Embarking on a new job journey can be thrilling, yet daunting. It's crucial to establish healthy boundaries from the onset to ensure a balanced work-life equation. Let's delve into the art of setting these boundaries without compromising your professional growth.
Summary
Failing to set boundaries early on in a new job is not only exhausting, but it also traps you into high expectations that you need to continually live up to, which can be demoralizing and unsustainable.
- Here are strategies on how to balance your own needs and make a good impression in the process.
Articulate and share your personal preferences
Define physical, mental, and emotional boundaries to be at your best
- What time you will start and end work
- Response times for emails and messages
- Calendar blocks for focused work or “no meeting” time
- The frequency and duration of breaks during the day
- Resource or training requirements needed to do your job
- Your type of work you enjoy doing
Apply your energy strategically
Suss out your boss’ goals and expectations and then align your efforts with those top priorities so you can provide value
- Use the “grace period” of being new to ask as many questions as possible
- This doesn’t make you look “stupid” or uninformed
Identify what’s driving you
Reflect on what underlies your desire to prove yourself.
- Naming your fears reduces the hold they have over you and empower you to reframe beliefs around your self-worth and your work
- Consider what implicit rules govern your performance
Create and follow through on new habits
A new job offers a new beginning and a chance to reset. Use this time period to your advantage and put bad habits behind you.
- Setting boundaries from the start can help you set yourself up for sustainable success in the long-run.
Consider the upside.
Setting boundaries when starting a new job means you display important leadership capabilities and teach people how to treat you
- Example: Anna initially balked when told she needed to set stronger boundaries in her new job. She realized that her people-pleasing tendencies were beginning to teach others that she was a pushover
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