Setting Boundaries with Multiple Consulting Clients

Think overdelivering will keep your clients happy? Think again. Here’s how to avoid burnout as a consultant. When you shift from a full-time role to consulting, it’s easy to fall into an old trap: treating every opportunity like a full-time job. Overdelivering. Overextending. And ultimately, burning out. On a recent Business Building call with clients, I shared with them... "The most nefarious thing is the story we tell ourselves, but we’re also setting expectations by overextending." The story? That if we don’t give everything, we won’t land (or keep) the client. But here’s the reality: Overextending doesn’t just exhaust you, it sets the wrong expectations. Clients come to rely on extra hours, unlimited availability, or added scope... without understanding the real value of your work. The result? You undervalue yourself, misalign expectations, and risk sacrificing long-term success. Failing to set boundaries as a consultant creates: • Burnout: You feel drained, losing the passion that made you start consulting in the first place.    • Scope Creep: Projects spiral beyond the original agreement without compensation.    • Misaligned Value: Clients undervalue your expertise because they see your time as endless.    The Fix: Set Clear Boundaries To protect your time and deliver impact without overextending, implement these strategies: 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 Clearly outline deliverables, timelines, and expectations in every proposal. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Set working hours and response times upfront. Example: “I’m available for calls between 9 AM and 2 PM on weekdays.” 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 If additional work arises, renegotiate the contract. Example: “That’s outside the scope of our initial agreement—let’s discuss an add-on package.” 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Focus on delivering outcomes, not overcommitting your time. Your impact comes from results, not the number of hours you spend. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Ask yourself: “Am I overextending because I’m afraid of losing the client? What evidence supports that fear?” Boundaries don’t just protect you, they elevate your client relationships by reinforcing your value and professionalism.

For years, I said yes to client demands, believing that's what "good service" meant. I used to think it meant being available 24/7. But what I've learned is this: when you set no boundaries, you serve nobody well. Not your family. Not your existing clients. Not even the demanding client themselves. I now have a simple rule: I work about 8 hours a day—no more. This isn't laziness. It's deliberate. As Cal Newport points out, there's an infinite supply of work for knowledge workers. The work will never be "done." So I had to make a choice: • Work around the clock trying to finish everything • Or set firm boundaries and prioritize ruthlessly I chose boundaries. When clients now say, "This has to be done tonight," I respond with clarity: "I'm not the lawyer for you. That's not what I do." What happens next? • Some clients fire me (good) • Some adjust their expectations (better) • All get better representation (best) Because here's what I've found: a well-rested attorney who's present with his family makes better decisions than one who's constantly exhausted and resentful. Like Parkinson's Law says: "Work expands to fill the time available for its completion." If I give myself unlimited time, the work takes unlimited time. When I stick to 8 hours, somehow the important stuff still gets done. The clients who stay understand this boundary isn't about laziness—it's about sustainability. And over time, they start respecting my time more than the clients who left ever did. Setting boundaries isn't selfish. It's the only way to serve clients effectively for the long haul. Follow for more insights on building a practice that serves both your clients and your life. #LegalPractice #Boundaries #WorkLifeBalance

I've helped 40+ agency owners escape the "scope creep trap" that keeps them stuck as chief problem solvers. Here's my 5-step "Boundary Setting System" that protects your operational bandwidth while maintaining client relationships: Step 1: Itemize Everything (Even Freebies) • Send a detailed invoice for ALL additional work • Cross out the charges if you're doing it as courtesy • Include line items: "Extra email campaign: $2,500" • This trains clients to see value in every request Step 2: Train Your Team to Say No (The Right Way) • Role-play common scope creep scenarios • Give them scripts: "That's a great idea - let me scope that as an upgrade" • Empower them to pause, not immediately say yes • Make boundary-setting part of their job description Step 3: Frame Additions as Upgrades • Never call extra work "quick additions" • Use language: "Here's how we can upgrade your package" • Present 3 options: Basic option, enhanced option, premium option • Position yourself as the expert recommending the best path Step 4: Document the Value Exchange • Send upgrade proposals within 24 hours • Show original scope vs. new scope side-by-side • Include timeline and resource impact • Get written approval before starting Step 5: Reinforce Expert Positioning • Explain WHY the additional work matters • Connect extra deliverables to their business goals • Use data to justify recommendations • Position boundaries as protecting their results The result? Clients respect your expertise, your team feels empowered, and you stop being the bottleneck. TL;DR: • Step 1: Itemize all work (cross out freebies) • Step 2: Train team to say no properly • Step 3: Frame additions as upgrades • Step 4: Document everything • Step 5: Reinforce expert positioning PS: Please "Repost" this to your network if you found it valuable!

I lost a promotion for not being "available enough." I was already: • Working 60+ hours weekly • Answering emails at 11pm • Taking calls on weekends A month later, I quit. BEST decision ever. The "always available" trap destroys careers silently. You think your responsiveness is impressive. Your boss sees it as expected. Your peers start avoiding you. Your health deteriorates slowly. When you're always available, people assume: • Your time isn't valuable • Your work isn't important • Your skills aren't in demand Sometimes, the most valuable people are the least available. The playbook that changed everything for me: 1. Create scarcity. Block "deep work" time on your calendar. Turn notifications off. Don't apologize for focusing. 2. Set clear boundaries. I tell new clients: "I'm offline after 5pm and on weekends." This doesn't scare good clients away. It attracts clients who respect professionals. 3. Increase your standards. The most in-demand people have the strictest boundaries. Their time is protected. Their energy is protected. Their focus is protected. Here's what happened after I quit and set boundaries: • My hourly rate tripled • My client quality improved • My stress level plummeted • My work got dramatically better Because boundaries aren't selfish. They're strategic. What boundary do you need to establish today? ---- If this hit home, repost ♻️ it And give me a follow → Nick Maciag 🙌

My name is Ryan, and I have a tendency to overserve. It's driven by a real love for my clients, a deep passion for what I do, and a clear calling from God to transform lives. While it's a manifestation of my commitment, it sometimes leads to overextension, affecting my ability to serve more clients and potentially harming my business. I have been working with some people close to me to figure out how to grow in this area. While I never want to stop serving, my business needs me to be better about balancing it. Here are a few things I am learning: 1. Set Clear Boundaries: The first step is setting and communicating clear boundaries. It's essential to delineate the scope of your offerings. Generosity should have its limits to prevent burnout and maintain quality. Clients will respect your professionalism more when they understand and see you adhering to these boundaries. 2. Value Your Own Time and Expertise: Recognize the worth of your time and skills. It's a common pitfall to undervalue what we bring to the table. Charging appropriately and respecting your own professional limits is crucial. This not only ensures fair compensation but also encourages clients to value your services more. 3. Schedule 'Giving Back' Time: Allocate specific time slots in your schedule dedicated to going the extra mile for clients. This could be additional consultations or support sessions. By scheduling these in advance, you prevent ad-hoc overextensions and keep your work-life harmony in check. 4. Communicate Openly: Transparency with clients about the value and scope of your services is critical. Clear communication can foster a mutual understanding and appreciation of the professional relationship. It also sets realistic expectations, preventing misunderstandings and over-demands. 5. Prioritize Self-Care: Lastly, always remember the importance of self-care. A well-rested, healthy professional can serve clients more effectively. Regularly investing in your own well-being ensures you have the energy and enthusiasm necessary for high-quality service. As I said, I am learning as I go. If I am honest, I will always lean towards overserving (which I am ok with). But I want to get better so my business gets better!

“Can you hop on a quick call this weekend?” “Just this one extra thing…” “Can you be flexible on timing?” If you’ve been in consulting for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard some version of this. And here’s the thing: Most of the time, clients aren’t trying to cross boundaries. They’re just asking, and it’s up to you to lead the interaction. Here’s what I teach my students: When pushback happens, don’t panic, don’t over-explain, don’t default to yes. Instead, respond with leadership. ✨ Reaffirm your process. ✨ Offer a clear next step. ✨ Stay warm, but firm. For example: → “That’s a great idea, let’s discuss how to add that to our engagement.” → “I dedicate evenings to my family, but I’ll review this first thing Monday.” → “My next available time is tomorrow at 10 AM. Let’s schedule it!” Setting boundaries isn’t about being difficult. It’s about protecting your energy and modeling the kind of high-integrity business you’re inviting your clients into. In my latest video, I walk through several client scenarios and exactly how to respond with clarity and confidence. 👉 Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/ewtJ9ECm Let’s normalize boundaries as a business strategy. How do you respond when a client asks for more than what you originally agreed on? I'd love to know!

📌How to Set Boundaries & Manage Clients Like a Pro My freelancing job just kicked off, but the constant barrage of emails and calls was starting to feel overwhelming. I was working late nights, sacrificing weekends, and feeling burnt out. One day, a client emailed me at odd time, asking for a major task to be sent the next morning which should be when I’m supposed to rest. My initial reaction was to jump right in, eager to please. But then, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I realized I needed to change my approach. I took a deep breath and decided to set some boundaries. I replied to the email, politely explaining that I couldn't meet the deadline and suggested an alternative timeframe. The client was initially disappointed, but ultimately understood. From that point on, I made a conscious effort to establish clear boundaries. I set specific working hours, communicated my availability upfront, and learned to say "no" to requests that didn't align with my values. It wasn't always easy. There were times when I felt guilty for declining work or pushing back on deadlines. But I reminded myself that setting boundaries wasn't selfish; it was essential for my well-being and mental health for the long-term success of my business. As I became more comfortable with setting boundaries, I noticed a positive shift in my relationships with clients. They respected my time and effort, and our collaborations became more productive and enjoyable. Looking back, I realized that setting boundaries wasn't about being rigid or unapproachable. It was about creating a sustainable and fulfilling work environment where I could thrive. It was about prioritizing my well-being and ensuring that my clients received the best version of myself. What kind of boundaries do you think are important for you in your work? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The work you don’t charge for COSTS more than you think I once stayed up until 5 AM, fixing a client’s slides that weren’t even part of the original project. Why? Because I thought: “If I overdeliver, they’ll trust me more.” “If I say no, maybe they won’t hire me again.” “It’s easier to just do it than to set a boundary.” Sound familiar? But here’s what really happens when you keep saying yes to unpaid work: You train clients to expect more for less. You devalue the very skills you’ve worked years to build. And you start resenting the work you once loved. The truth? Clients don’t remember the extra slides. They remember the clarity, the story, the results. And you can’t deliver those if you’re exhausted, underpaid, and undervalued. → Setting boundaries isn’t arrogance. → Charging for your full value isn’t greed. It’s respect. For your time. For your craft. And for the results you help create. Because when you protect your value, you can: → Show up fully for your clients. → Deliver work that actually changes things. → Build a business that doesn’t burn you out. So next time you feel guilty about saying “That’s outside scope” → remember this: You’re not just protecting your business. You’re protecting the quality of work your clients hired you for in the first place. What’s the hardest part for you - saying no, setting boundaries, or charging your worth?

When I first started my business, I was thrilled to land my first few clients. 🎉 I poured my heart into my work, eager to impress. But soon, I encountered a problem I hadn't anticipated: micromanaging clients. 😅 At first, I thought I just needed to work harder or be more available. But the constant check-ins and demands for updates started to wear me down. I realized something had to change. I decided to dig deeper and get to the cause of their need to micromanage. Why did they feel the need to do it? Could I communicate better? Was there miscommunication happening? Did they have certain expectations that I wasn’t aware of? By addressing these questions, I found that many issues stemmed from unclear communication. I started providing detailed performance reports. This helped my clients feel more in the loop and less anxious about the work being done. Next, I had to check my boundaries. What was and wasn’t okay for me? I realized that without strong boundaries, my business would suffer. I started setting clear guidelines for communication, such as specific times when I was available for calls and how quickly I would respond to emails. This wasn’t easy at first. I worried that clients might not like the new boundaries. But to my surprise, many appreciated the clarity and respected my time more. They began to trust me to deliver without needing constant oversight. From my experience, I learned a few key pieces of advice for dealing with micromanaging clients: 1. Communicate Clearly: Make sure your clients understand your process and timeline. Regular updates can help them feel more secure. 2. Set Boundaries: Decide what is and isn’t acceptable for you. Communicate these boundaries clearly and stick to them. 🚧 3. Address Miscommunications: If there’s a misunderstanding, tackle it head-on. Clarify any points of confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page. 4. Understand Their Perspective: Sometimes clients micromanage because they’ve had bad experiences in the past. Show them that you’re reliable and capable. Remember, you can't build a strong business without strong boundaries. #FemaleFounders #WomenInBusiness #WomenInMarketing #ClientManagement #BusinessBoundaries #CommunicationSkills #EntrepreneurTips