Setting Boundaries with Clients to Manage Time

You want your client’s vision. Not their Slack notifications. Every agency owner runs into this moment: The client says they want to “stay out of the weeds.” Then they show up with 47 comments on a Figma file… at 11:42pm. 😅 So what do you do? You can’t ghost them. But you can’t let them run your process either. Here’s how I keep clients in the right lane: ✅ Set roles on day one → “You own vision and high-level priorities. We own execution and delivery.” Put that in writing. Put it in the kickoff. Say it out loud. ✅ Use structured check-ins → No open-ended Slack chaos. Weekly 30-min calls with a clear agenda: → Strategy updates → Roadblocks → Decisions needed That’s it. ✅ Pre-frame the process → “There will be times when you’ll want to jump in. That’s normal. But it’s my job to protect your time and our progress. Deal?” Clients respect this more than you’d think. ✅ Let them lead the why, not the how → Ask for context, goals, and constraints—not step-by-step instructions. Most client relationships break because boundaries are vague. But boundaries aren’t restrictive they’re productive. If you want clients to act like visionaries, you have to train them to stay out of the engine room. That’s how you protect your process and their results.

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.

Your constant availability is killing your potential. 10 boundaries that put you back in control: Last year, my client Sarah was responding to emails at midnight, skipping family dinners, and watching her health deteriorate while her career stalled. Less than 3 months after implementing these exact boundaries, Sarah was promoted, sleeping 7+ hours a night, and leaving her laptop at the office on weekends. Control is closer than you think. 10 power boundaries that change everything ⚡️ 1) Response Time Parameters ↳ Check messages at 10AM and 3PM only to preserve deep work capacity 2) Meeting-Free Zones ↳ Block Tuesdays for focused work to protect your highest contribution 3) After-Hours Communication Protocol ↳ Go offline after 6PM with emergency calls only to regain your life 4) Decision Boundary ↳ Never decide under pressure; set specific response times for requests 5) Calendar Control Standards ↳ Build 15-minute buffers between all meetings for mental recovery 6) Energy Protection System ↳ Step away for 5 minutes when tension builds to reset your mind 7) Scope Creep Defense ↳ Document initial agreements to reference when projects expand 8) Rush Request Management ↳ Require 48 hours for last-minute requests unless pre-arranged 9) Relationship Preservation Time ↳ Keep evenings for personal connection to strengthen what matters 10) Personal Capacity Acknowledgment ↳ Visualize your workload as finite when new requests arrive Your boundaries aren't selfish. They're your greatest professional strength ✨ ‼️ Want the complete system to make these boundaries actually stick? Join my FREE masterclass this Wednesday 3/12. Register below! https://lnkd.in/eHQ-Hu4s -- ♻️ Repost to help your network protect their time and energy in 2025 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more actionable strategies to succeed without burnout

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!

If you're always available to your clients, you're never available. Sounds backwards, right? But here's the truth: - Constant interruptions mean you can't focus deeply - Running from client to client means you're always behind - Being 'always on' creates anxiety - for you and your clients Your clients think they want a lawyer who's available 24/7. But what they really want is someone who calms their anxiety. You can't calm their anxiety if you're anxious yourself. I learned this when I set clear boundaries with my clients: 'You can text me between 8am-6pm on business days. Outside those hours, please email me.' The result? Better service, not worse. My clients know exactly what to expect. They feel more secure, not less. Pro tip: Never hire a lawyer who seems too busy all the time. They won't make time for your case. Setting boundaries isn't selfish - it's how you serve your clients at the highest level. *** For tips on how to find 100 criminal defense clients per year without advertising, subscribe to my weekly newsletter "The Business of Criminal Law". Click "visit my website" at the top of my post 👆🏼 ***

A team member came to me looking stressed out. “A client wants 20 hours of extra work by tomorrow. I don’t want to say ‘no,’ but I can’t do it.” The client had asked for: → 5 slides on competitive analysis keyword research and acquisition strategy → In time for their board presentation the next day → Which was out of scope for our work together Yeah, no. We can’t do that. So I told my team member I’d step in and set a boundary. I’ll be honest — I hate saying “no” to clients. It’s awkward. I feel like I’m letting them down. I even worry they’ll cancel our contract. But I have a responsibility to protect my team members. So I wrote to the client and said: “We can’t do this because it’s out of scope.” Then followed up with a list of 3 options they could choose from for next steps. They were happy to pick something else and we were able to help – Without making that team member sacrifice a night’s sleep. But it got me worried: How often is my team fielding these anxieties without my help? So we took 20 minutes to talk about it during our next company meeting: “If a client asks you to do something and you’re uncomfortable — come to us.” Here’s the thing: I want my team members to feel empowered to make decisions. But I also want them to know that we’ve *always* got their backs if they’re stuck. Team members have come to me with client requests more often since then. And yes – I’m having more potentially awkward conversations. But overall it’s been a win-win-win: → My team feels more supported → I have better visibility on additional services clients want → I can pitch them on stuff they didn’t even know they needed Happier team members. Better client-agency alignment. And more money coming in. If I have to feel a little uncomfortable from time to time… It’s worth it for what everybody else gains.

🏢 Architects: It's time to rethink how we value our time. Why are we so quick to give it away for free? From unpaid competitions to those “quick chats” that turn into full-blown proposals—time is money, but more importantly, it’s our most limited resource. I recently shared this advice for new grads: Your time is the one thing you can’t get back. Don’t trade it away too easily. This isn’t just a lesson for those starting out—it’s a reminder for all of us, no matter how long we’ve been in practice. Here’s how to start valuing your time more intentionally: ✅ Recognize time as a limited resource. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Treat your calendar as the foundation of your business—every hour should reflect your values and priorities. ✅ Stop saying “yes” to unpaid work that doesn’t serve you. Those competitions, speculative proposals, and endless coffee chats—ask yourself: Is this helping me grow or just draining my energy? ✅ Set clear boundaries for conversations. Not every meeting needs to be a deep dive. Learn to say, “I’d love to chat, but let’s keep it to 15 minutes” or “Happy to share my perspective, but I’ll need to bill for my time if we go deeper.” ✅ Communicate your worth. If a client doesn’t respect your time, they won’t respect your work. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of fees and expectations early—it sets the tone for a healthier working relationship. ✅ Invest your time where it matters most. Not every opportunity is worth your energy. Focus on work and relationships that align with your values and long-term goals. We need to model this for the next generation of architects. It’s time to stop normalizing the idea that our time is always up for grabs—because it’s not. What’s one step you’re taking to protect your time? _____________________ Hi, 👋🏻 I'm Evelyn Lee, FAIA | NOMA I've been on the client side for over a decade and have spent the last five years in tech, helping create exceptional employee experiences while growing the business. Now, I help architects: ⇒ Think Differently ⇒ Redefine Processes ⇒ Create Opportunities

Consulting will break you if you let it. This job market is wild right now. Layoffs, pivots, career changes. A lot of folks are jumping into consulting—and I love that for you. But I also want to keep it real with you. One of the fastest ways to burn out? Client emergencies. They’ll hit your phone like “URGENT” They’ll call three times in a row. They’ll email, Slack, text, and send smoke signals. Because in their mind? You’re their only priority. But here’s the thing: their emergency is not automatically your emergency. You’re a consultant. Not a firefighter. (And even firefighters get rest.) Here’s how to manage it before it drains the life out of you: 🟢 Communicate clearly. If you’re not available, say so. Calmly. With context. Ex. “I’m taking my kid to school and then heading into another client meeting. I’ll be able to look into this in an hour.” 🟢Give them something to do. Don’t leave them spinning in panic. Involve them in the solution. Ex. “Try reaching out to the manager to triage. Let leadership know we’re bringing in the team to strategize options.” 🟢Stay cool. You can validate the sense of urgency without absorbing the chaos. Acknowledge the urgency without getting frustrated yourself. Ex. “I get how important this is. If this doesn’t happen today, you could lose funding. We’re going to get it handled.” And most importantly You’re no good to any client if you’re constantly running on fumes. This life takes boundaries, not just strategy. Consulting can give you freedom, but only if you protect your energy while you're out here trying to save the day. (P.S. – None of this is about my clients, ya’ll are great 😁)