Boundaries That Build When Our Energy Is Burning
We often talk about the importance of boundaries, but we rarely discuss what these may look like. In business, career, and life, boundaries are essential to owning our success and setting limits on our energy, so we can use it where it matters. The number one energy drainer I hear about from my clients is actually not having too much work to do. But rather, not being able to set good boundaries (and also, not knowing what boundaries matter).
These internal stops act as invisible fences. You don’t see them, but you feel when they have been walked over, overstretched, or not instilled. Left undiscovered, they can quietly sabotage your business potential and drain your personal energy in the process.
so what are boundaries?
Boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves in relationships, interactions, and situations to protect our well-being, values, and personal space.
They help define:
What is okay and not okay for us emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually.
How we expect to be treated, and how we will treat others.
Where our responsibility ends and someone else's begins.
While these may seem simple on the surface, they form the structure through which you feel you can perform and show up in the world.
examples of boundaries
Types of Boundaries:
Physical boundaries – relate to personal space and physical touch (e.g., "I don't like hugs from strangers").
Emotional boundaries – protect your feelings and emotional energy (e.g., "I'm not comfortable discussing this topic right now").
Mental boundaries – involve your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs (e.g., "I respect your view, but I see it differently").
Time boundaries – relate to how you use your time (e.g., "I’m not available after 6 PM").
Material boundaries – involve possessions and money (e.g., "I don’t lend out my car").
Digital boundaries – about online presence and communication (e.g., "I don't respond to work emails on weekends").
How They help Business and personal Growth
Protects Time and Focus
Growth requires strategic thinking and deep work. Saying no to unnecessary meetings, distractions, or low-value tasks gives you and your team the time to focus on innovation, operations, and strategy. Similarly, in personal life, this can look like tuning out the items that no longer serve you to focus on what matters.Promotes Good Home or Work Environment and a Positive Vibe
Whether you’re working for yourself or with others, boundaries allow for a healthy environment for ideas to nurture and vision to grow. Burnout impacts productivity and retention. Clear expectations around work hours, communication, and workload lead to healthier employees, lower turnover, and higher engagement for both you or your team.In personal life, setting clear expectations with yourself and intentions aligned with what you want, allows for you to make forward steps without setbacks.
Supports Clarity in Decision-Making
Growth stalls when you're exhausted or your team is overwhelmed. Clear boundaries around work hours, breaks, and expectations help everyone stay motivated and productive. Time is also precious, and it allows for aligned decisions to be made promptly without confusion or endless back-and-forth. In personal life, having the clarity to not mull back and forth between your mental considerations and step forward with ease.Builds Strong Relationships
Setting clear expectations with clients, colleagues, and friends (e.g., timelines, communication hours, scope of work, downtime) prevents blurred scope and builds trust. People like to know what to expect, and so does our own nervous system. This allows us to thrive in personal and professional relationships.
Identifying Your boundaries
First, you can ask yourself,
Where am I feeling drained?
What do I wish I could do or say?
What am I craving right now?
Then, the next steps, what do you need to make it possible?
Reframing and Releasing
Sometimes there are strategic or limiting beliefs that prevent us from being able to take steps in our life. Sometimes we just don’t know where to start. This is where the deeper work begins, and partnership becomes helpful and meaningful. If you’ve been stuck here, we encourage you to seek meaningful support, so you can reach the goals you’re aiming for and really feel the results in your life and business.
the way you do one thing is the way you do everything, maybe
One of my business mentors in the past used to remind me regularly in our sessions. “The way you do one thing is the way you do everything”, she’d say. And that stuck with me. Not because I always felt it was true, but I realized truly some of our habits don’t stick in one category, business or personal, they can be deeper intwined into what we think is possible for ourselves. The beauty is that doesn’t have to stop us. We have so many tools that can help us thrive with meaningful support and community. We’re inspired to partner up with you to see what is possible.