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How to set boundaries at work in the New Year
Article

How to set boundaries at work in the New Year

Boundaries aren’t always easy to manage, but they are worth the effort.

Tracy Brower
Fast Company, 2022
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Boundaries may seem inherently limiting. However, according to sociologist Tracy Brower, setting and managing boundaries provide opportunities to decrease stress and improve work-life balance. Boundaries create structures for compartmentalizing aspects of life that often bleed into one another. Follow Brower’s straightforward advice to establish flexible boundaries, to improve relationships at work and at home, and to stay present within the moment.

Summary

Improve your work-life balance by setting boundaries.

The New Year provides opportunities to reflect on ways to increase positive aspects of life and to decrease stress. Although stress can strike a member of any cohort, it is particularly prevalent among young adults, who juggle many responsibilities, including family obligations, finances and work. Other stressors can include caring for dependents, career progression or volunteer work, all of which place demands on your time and energy. Setting and managing boundaries can mitigate the effects of stress for a better work-life balance.

Create bespoke boundaries that optimize your personal situation.

Setting boundaries within the constraints of traditional societal norms is difficult. Don’t let others’ opinions hold you back from finding the right solution for you and your family. People often assume that boundaries...

About the Author

Sociologist Tracy Brower is an expert on work-life balance. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. She is the vice president of workplace insights for Steelcase, a manufacturer of office furniture.

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