In the last blog, I did a quick Internet search that suggested setting boundaries was important for work-life balance.
That’s great, but how can you take that information and organize it in a way that is useful for you? The answer is: you apply a framework.
When it comes to boundaries, you might perhaps refer to a framework created by therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab who organizes boundaries into six categories.
These boundary types include:
1. Time boundaries
2. Material boundaries
3. Physical boundaries
4. Sexual boundaries
5. Emotional boundaries
6. Intellectual boundaries
Her book and articles go into a lot more detail into each of the boundaries above.
I want to comment on time boundaries since I know most people struggle with time poverty. When it comes to my schedule and time, I like to apply boundaries by organizing my day into “shifts.” Just like at school, the rhythms of a protected schedule help keep your short-term decisions aligned with a longer-term goal.
The boundaries don’t have to be rigid, but they keep you in the safe zone so you tend not to stray. For example, I like to roughly divide a non-clinical work day in the following manner:
6-6:30 am: self-care time (morning walk, meditation, journal)
6:30-8:30 am: kids’ routines, breakfast, drop off at school
9-10 am: exercise
10-1 pm: focused creative work
1-2 pm: lunch
2-4 pm: work that doesn’t need my creative focus but needs to be done, e.g. administrative work, planning trips, meal prep
4-7 pm: protected family-related activities (make dinner, put house in order, walk, night routine)
7 pm: screens off, books out
9 pm: sleep
Of course, if I’m doing a shift I maybe just have time for my morning routine and then I’m out the door. But I’ve found it’s the unstructured days that make it harder to get things done.
Instead of just telling you that you need boundaries, a framework helps you see the guardrails of what those boundaries might look like.
So when you’re looking to make changes, look for frameworks to help you get going!
Question: “Have you come across any useful frameworks regarding burnout? If so, share in the comments section below!”
