My Boundaries Aren't Working!
In recent weeks, I've been striving to be really intentional about establishing time boundaries in my calendar. Given the myriad of people for whom I have responsibility -- and to whom I'm responsible -- putting in some boundaries isn't just a wise course of action; it feels essential.
I know that boundaries can help to:
hold blocks of time for specific tasks
preserve my own health and well-being
ensure I get breaks -- for meals, snacks, exercise, whatever
step away from the computer for a bit of time
change up the type of activity I'm engaged
I've been a big proponent of time boundaries for a long time. In the past, I know I've talked about them as "time blocking" -- basically blocking chunks of time in my calendar that are dedicated to specific tasks. I've also raved about "open-space" -- ensuring that I build in space around meetings and appointments to allow for some breathing room. For the past few weeks I've struggled with implementing both of these strategies. I must say: it's annoying.
On the surface, it's tempting to just blame the nature of my new role. After all,
It's fast-paced.
My availability needs to spread over several time zones.
There's more than just me to consider -- I have a team that reports to me, a team that I work alongside, and a team that I report to. (That's a lot of calendars to coordinate).
If I were to use some variation of the phrase "this is just the way it is" as I notice the challenge of holding boundaries around my time, I feel like most people would sympathise. But here's the thing; it's NOT just the way it is. I actually have more control over this than I want to let on.
What's required of me, when it comes to setting some time boundaries is this: I can't just set them. I have to HOLD them. If I say that I'm unavailable for meetings within a specific two-hour block in order to give myself time to concentrate on a particular project, then it's entirely up to me to safeguard that two-hour block. Nobody else is going to do it for me. If I give it up to someone else's priorities, — however begrudgingly I might do so — then that's on me, not them.
Here's what I've had to do. I've had to experiment a little. I've had to set and change boundaries a few times, in service of noticing what works. I've had to make note of when and where I'm actually needed, and start to notice opportunities for when I can claim time. Having noticed opportunities, I've had to erect metaphorical fences. And then I've had to learn to say no.
Turns out, I can totally do that. Yes, I need to be flexible. What I need to do more than that, however, is be willing to say 'no' to a request -- or at least ask what wiggle room there is around the request -- in service of honouring my own time. This then allows me to do my work really well, and be the best I can in any given moment.
If you're thinking that time blocks and boundaries of these sort don't work, I invite you to reconsider. What I know for sure is that boundaries of this sort totally work; they just require you to uphold them. How willing are you to honour the boundaries you set?