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Structure+Boundaries=Freedom
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STRUCTURE + BOUNDARIES = FREEDOM
Workplace boundaries will prevent you from reacting
to others' interference and getting angry at their
disturbances.
STRUCTURE + BOUNDARIES = FREEDOM
Workplace boundaries will prevent you from reacting
to others' interference and getting angry at their
disturbances.
No matter what size your business is, you need to set
boundaries and provide structure to your workday. You
determine your schedule, not your clients or vendors. If
you decide your day starts at 9:30 AM, then don't answer
the phone or turn on the computer until then.
Start the day with a good breakfast. Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day. Break-the-fast like a king or
queen. Don't forget the protein. Take frequent breaks
during the day to give your brain cells a rest. Schedule in
exercise for the body as well as relaxation for the brain.
Leave your office for lunch at least 3 workdays per week.
It's much too easy to work through lunch, eat at your
desk and ignore your personal needs.
Don't forget those evening meetings, whether networking or
classes. Allow time to leave work, home office or a job,
revitalize yourself, and be ready for these events.
If you work with others, learn to close your door or put a
"Do Not Disturb" sign on your cubicle. It's difficult to
concentrate when constantly interrupted. If you allow full
access to co-workers, clients or vendors, you may wind up
being angry or over-reactive to minor infractions.
The telephone works three ways: you can pick it up, hang
it up or not touch it at all. Have voice mail or an
answering service. Listening to incoming calls on an
answering machine will only prove a distraction. Should I
or shouldn't I answer that? OK, I'll pick it up.
It's never as important as you think.
If you are working on a project, give it one hour of
effort at a time. Check messages and decide the importance
and urgency of these calls. Then decide if you need more
protein. Athletes are not the only people who require
constant nourishment. Using your brain is exhausting, but
has never been given enough credibility.
Don't get 'stuck' on-line. If part of your marketing is
focused on the Web with e-mail newsletters or similar
marketing tools, hire someone to do the updates for you.
If you value your time and have set a dollar figure for
Web-update time, you can see the wisdom in having a less
expensive individual perform this function. Use an
employee, student, independent contractor or
virtual assistant.
It's too easy to sit in front of the computer and get lost
when that time could be better spent writing or going
for a walk. Take care of yourself, first!
Mornings are best for detail work. The mind is refreshed
and capable of high functioning. It's best to return phone
calls in the afternoon, especially if they are non-urgent.
Critical thinking is best done in the morning. Delegate
all your non-essential tasks. The more structure you have
in your work, the more freedom you have.
As a last item, learn to say no. Say no to anything that does
not fit into your annual plan and your goals. The purpose
of creating your plan is to determine what you really want
to do. If a request comes for a volunteer or paid situation
that does not fit into your plan, just say no.
Saying 'no' is difficult for many people, especially if
they are just discovering their boundaries.
Remember - always take care of yourself first!
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Joanne Victoria, 25-year Vision and Business Coach helps
entrepreneurs and solo professionals build successful
lives and businesses by helping them tell their truth.
Author of 3 Books including: Lighting Your Path! How
To Create the Life You Want and Vision With a Capital V
- Create the Business of Your Dreams. Joanne offers
FREE help through her 2 monthly ezines, Lighting Your
Path! -Discover Your Inner Truth at:
mailto:JoanneVictoria-subscribe@topica.com
and Create the Business of your Dreams at:
mailto:CreateYourBusiness-subscribe@topica.com
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