Setting Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is important for an individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. But establishing them can be hard. One of the most difficult aspects of setting boundaries can be knowing how to set them in a way that is firm but not offensive or hurtful. It also helps if they are realistic so that you will be able to practice them within your personal relationships with others.

You need boundaries. If you don't know where to draw the line, you risk burnout. And burnout is bad news for anyone. But it's especially dangerous for entrepreneurs, who tend to be their own worst critics, setting impossible standards that they never live up to.

You need boundaries,

but it's hard to figure out what they ought to be. Fortunately, there's a simple way to figure it out.

As with most things in life, the answer is simple if you know where to start.

The first step is to identify your values. What are the most important things you stand for? What aren't you willing to give up? What are your boundaries?

Once the answers are well defined, it's time to start setting boundaries. Identify your values, set your boundaries, and stick to them.

It's that simple.

For entrepreneurs, boundaries are essential. But they're also incredibly challenging. When you're starting something new, you have a lot of freedom. You don't have to follow the rules. You don't have to make anything profitable. You can explore as many possibilities as you want.

When you're growing, that freedom disappears, and boundaries are essential. You can't do everything, and that can make you feel like you're held back.

But boundaries aren't restraints. They're a way of defining your values.

As a business owner, your values are your compass. They tell you what's most important about you and what's not. They're the guiding stars for everything you do.

Setting healthy boundaries helps you make sure you stay on the right path.

Getting counseling to learn how to set healthy boundaries with coworkers, friends, family members and partners may help when you're in a difficult situation.

Here are three reasons you may want to seek counseling:

• You're emotionally exhausted. You may be dealing with someone who's abusive, and you may be feeling helpless.

• There are legal implications. Abuse is illegal, and it's a crime for an employer or other official to retaliate against you for reporting it.

• You're considering legal action. If the other party refuses to stop or you fear for the safety of yourself, your child or your child's caretaker, it's worth considering filing a restraining order.

If you've tried talking to the other party and they haven't changed their behavior, it's time to seek outside help.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE

National Sexual Violence Resource Center