Your personal time is being invaded by work demands. How can you reclaim your boundaries with colleagues?

We often believe that working long hours demonstrates our commitment and increases productivity. However, this mindset can harm sustainable growth, as it can lead to being taken for granted and losing work-life boundaries. To reclaim control, address the root cause: your belief system. Embrace the idea that less is more. Prioritise tasks by distinguishing between urgent and important, and eliminate those that can wait. Clearly communicate your cut-off times for meetings and set calendar availability to ensure colleagues are aware of your schedule. Be vocal about your personal priorities and assert that work cannot encroach on the time you've designated for these activities.

Clearly communicating your work hours and availability. Set firm limits on when you can be contacted for work-related matters and stick to them. Use tools like calendar blocks to indicate your personal time. Politely but firmly decline non-urgent requests that encroach on your personal time. Encourage a culture of respect for boundaries by leading by example.

Set up a dedicated time to discuss your boundaries with your team or supervisor. Clearly express your needs and the reasons behind them. Frame your conversation with "I" statements to avoid sounding accusatory. Share instances where work demands have impacted your personal time. Suggest practical solutions that can help manage work demands without invading personal time. Work together with your colleagues to find a balance that respects everyone’s boundaries.

There is a fine line between being honestly open and being overly sharing. I suggest to ask yourself if the details your are giving are necessary and they contribute to building a healthy relationship, or they are simply excuses. When you excuse yourself too much, you actually dissociate two needs: to belong to a group and to own your own life. As adults we shouldn’t have to have a “good reason” for owning our personal time, in order to get group’s approval. Establishing the proper level of transparency is not obvious, it moves between seeking connection (✅) and seeking validation (🚩) A question that might be useful (requires honesty to self): If your justification is not approved, would you rather change plans or change group?

Let your colleagues know your working hours and when you are not available. Schedule regular breaks and ensure they are respected by setting a status or blocking time in your calendar. Use tools to silence work notifications outside of work hours, and inform your team that you will respond to messages during the next business day. If working from home, have a specific area for work to physically separate your professional and personal life. Be disciplined about starting and ending your workday at the same times each day to create a routine that others can respect.

Let your colleagues know your boundaries and availability upfront. When assigned tasks, assess your current workload and set deadlines that are achievable. Work with your team to prioritize tasks. Make sure everyone is aware of what needs immediate attention and what can wait, helping to manage the flow of work and avoid last-minute requests. Consistently reinforce your boundaries by adhering to the limits you’ve set.

There's a book called The Art of Saying NO by Damon Zahadaries. The important aspect is to discuss priorities with your colleagues. What is urgent and important, what is urgent and not so important, what is not urgent but important and what is not urgent and not important. That will give you great leverage to make sure you set your boundaries clearly.

Use digital calendars like Google Calendar or Outlook to schedule your work hours and personal time. Tools like Trello, Asana, or Todoist can help you organize and prioritize tasks. Set boundaries on communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Use time tracking apps such as Toggl or Clockify to monitor how you spend your time.

The most important tool to use is a clear and respectful “No” or “I can schedule working on that on <date> that you’re available. The second most important tool in your toolbox is the option to turn off all notifications for work related apps on any devices you access after hours. People will get used to you responding during the workday.

Define specific work hours and stick to them. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and supervisors to ensure they understand when you are available and when you are not. Just as you schedule work tasks, make sure to schedule time for yourself. It’s important to recognize when you’re overcommitting. Engage in activities that promote your physical and mental well-being. Regular breaks throughout the workday can help you recharge and maintain focus. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others when possible.