Boundaries, Balance and a Dash of Sanity

Feeling like you’re in the middle of a workplace tornado?

Feeling like you’re on rollercoaster ride with all the twists and turns of workplace restructuring?

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplaces, change is constant!

Recently, our organisation experienced a significant restructure, a process that has brought about a mix of opportunities and challenges. As a career coach with experience in change management and organisational transformation, I’ve seen firsthand how these shifts can impact people at all levels.

Personally, the recent restructuring at my workplace has been a challenging journey, marked by uncertainty and the need to adapt quickly to new ways of working. For me, this period of change has been particularly difficult due to the absence of leadership. The lack of guidance and support has made it even more crucial to set personal boundaries to maintain my well-being and productivity.

Navigating the unknown without clear direction has provided an opportunity of personal growth, underscoring the importance of self-resilience and proactive communication to maintain balance and stay on track to manage the emotional toll of these transitions.

Through this experience, I’ve learnt to set boundaries by prioritising my needs, communicating my limits – whether they are physical, emotional, mental, tangible or intangible.

Here are some strategies that's worked for me:

Develop the cheerful Nope – it’s so important to recognise your physical, emotional and mental limits, this helps you understand what you can tolerate and not overcommit. With new expectations and responsibilities, it’s easy to let work spill over into your personal time. Politely decline additional responsibilities that could compromise your well-being or effectiveness.

Saying no can be empowering – think of it as your secret superpower for maintaining sanity!

Communicate clearly and often – open and honest communication is key, let your colleagues and leaders know your availability, workload capacity and any concerns you have. Use assertive language and be direct about your needs and limits.

Think of it as setting up a ‘no surprise’ zone – because nobody likes surprise meetings or last-minute tasks.

Practice self-care – make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine, whether it’s taking regular breaks, exercising or spending time with loved ones. Prioritise activities that rejuvenate and recharge you.

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup – or a coffee mug that’s been empty since 9am.

Set digital boundaries – establish clear boundaries for your digital communication, set specific time for checking and responding to emails and messages and avoid work-related digital interactions outside of these times.

Because let’s face it, nobody wants to be the person who replies to emails at 1am.

Restructuring is a challenging yet inevitable part of any organisational life. By setting and maintaining boundaries, you can navigate these changes more effectively, ensuring that you remain productive, healthy, and satisfied in your job.

Which one of these strategies resonates with you?

Remember, boundaries are not barriers but bridges to a more balanced and fulfilling professional life.

Still feeling like you’re navigating a maze blindfolded with all these workplace changes?

Let’s connect and start your journey towards a more balanced work-life by making your career goals a reality – one step at a time!