The Power of Boundaries: Setting Limits for a Balanced Life

When people start working, they often have the mindset that they have to hustle to be able to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. At times, this can disrupt the work-life balance that one should have because of the constant need to do something and finish all the tasks given to you at work.

A few weeks ago, an article from InqPOP talked about how an Indian IT company, SoftGrid Computers, had implemented a “reminder system” where the desktop computers of their employees were automatically locked and an alert was sent to notify them that business hours had ended. The initial post was released by one of their employees. 

This drew varying opinions from the audience, with some people saying it was a great idea, while some had negative things to say about it, such as how this can’t be implemented in all work fields because of the different working environments we all have. 

So, how can we practice the power of boundaries when it comes to our work-life balance? What are the limitations we can apply in order to achieve it? 

How Companies Can Implement Work-Life Balance in 2023

In an article from UC News, professors and staff members of the University of Cincinnati discussed the necessary steps employers and employees can take to promote a work-life balance. According to the article, Laurens Steed, PhD, an assistant professor of the Department of Management at the aforementioned university, said that employers should be able to prioritize the ability of employees to disconnect from work. During the time of the pandemic, a huge discussion between companies was the well-being of their employees and being able to give them their needed time off. Now more than ever, employers should be able to show support to their employees by encouraging them to take breaks and most of all, prioritizing self-care.

Companies must be able to promote a work-life culture in their companies, whether it be at the office or even in a remote setting. They must implement boundaries that will create a more healthy working environment for everyone. Telling their employees to stop working shouldn’t be something that is forced, but rather something that comes naturally. The employees would know where to stop and not get reprimanded for it. Of course, as employees, we should also know where to draw the line. At times, we’d really have to work even after working hours for a task, but remember that it doesn’t need to always take up most of your time.

Being able to implement a good work-life balance in the office can be beneficial to the company. Employees will be happier, which will make them more productive. Overall, companies can implement work-life balance policies and practices to help employees manage their work and personal lives, improve their well-being, and increase engagement.

How You Can Implement Work-Life Balance

In an article by the Business News Daily, they listed down 8 tips on how employees can have a good work-life balance, and I am here to share some of them with you:

• Accept that there is no ‘perfect’ work-life balance: Though you would think that a perfectly balanced work and life are all about having the perfect schedule and being able to do all the work first before enjoying what we do outside of it, this mindset may be wrong. At times, this can work for other people, but we also must consider that we should  set realistic goals for ourselves and that not every day is the same. Sometimes, we can get so caught up that we lose ourselves trying to accomplish something. It’s okay to take breaks, and if we find ourselves wanting to go out for a self-care day, prioritize that too.
  

• Don’t be afraid to unplug: When we are so immersed in the work we do, sometimes we forget to unplug and move away from the work. One thing about remote work is that sometimes we find ourselves losing the boundaries between work and here’s a reminder that it’s okay to unplug from time to time! Go out, get coffee at a cafe, go for a walk and be one with nature, and when you feel okay again, the work will always be there, ready to be picked up again.

• Set boundaries and work hours: When we’re at the office or working remotely, at times, we forget to clock out and just do the work without having a clear end time. This can cause burnout since we just do the work all the time. We also just let people email or contact us anytime, and there are no boundaries as to when they can and cannot do that. Setting working hours and alerting colleagues about them can greatly help in making sure that you know when you should stop working as well.

Finding a good work-life balance may be different for everyone; what works for someone may not work for another. It’s important to find what works best for you and make adjustments as needed.

The Benefits of Work-Life Balance 

Maintaining a clear work-life balance has its benefits. This can help reduce stress since you can prioritize your personal life and get to do activities that you enjoy. By setting up boundaries, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed or burned out, and you’ll likely be more focused and productive when you’re at work. 

When you make time for activities and hobbies you genuinely enjoy, you can experience personal growth. It helps improve your relationships with the people around you because you get to spend more time with them. Most importantly, the power of boundaries helps improve your physical and mental health because it allows you to find time to exercise, eat better, and get enough rest. You most likely will also feel a lot more fulfilled and satisfied, which can help improve your mental health.

Having a balanced work-life can lead to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled life.

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Kalibrr is a recruitment technology company that aims to transform how candidates find jobs and how companies hire talent. Placing the candidate experience at the center of everything it does, we continue to attract the best talent from all over, with more than 6 million professionals and counting. Kalibrr ultimately connects these talents to companies in search of their next generation of leaders.

The only end-to-end recruitment solutions provider in Southeast Asia, Kalibrr is headquartered in Makati, Philippines, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Established in 2012, it has served over 18,000 clients and is backed by some of the world’s most powerful start-up incubators and venture capitalists. These include Y Combinator, Omidyar Network, Patamar Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and Kickstart Ventures.

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