Adapting to Flexible Work Hours

When I was 30, I was a savage. 16-hour days, constant hustle, and no vacations and I don’t regret it one bit. But, now at 45, as a founder and parent of 3, I’ve traded grind for intentionality. Here’s how I balance work and life without sacrificing either: == 1) Skip alcohol and THC. I used alcohol to blow off steam after long days. I thought I deserved it. Now, avoiding those crutches has transformed how I sleep, wake up, and show up for my kids. 2) Sleep is a superpower. I’m in bed around 9:30pm and wake up around 530am. Better recovery leads to thinking clearer, leading better, and showing up fully. 3) Carve out personal space. I go for a 30-60 min run first thing. My biggest breakthrough thoughts come during my morning run. 4) Involve the kids. I used to compartmentalize “work” and “family.” Now, I bring my kids into what I’m doing whenever possible. Whether it’s having them sit on my lap during a podcast or showing them what Dad’s working on, it’s a way to connect and bring them into my world. 5) Outsource house chores. Mowing the lawn? Deep cleaning the house? This is like stepping over dollars to pick up dimes. I’m sure you enjoy it to a degree, but free yourself for what truly matters: family, health, and the work that moves the needle. 6) Use time blocks. I timebox everything—whether it’s deep work, family time, or even downtime. Setting alarms and blocking time on my calendar keeps me focused and prevents the day from running away from me. 7) Be ruthless about what matters. At 30, everything felt urgent. At 45, I know the difference between important and noise. For me, balance doesn’t mean doing everything—it means doing the right things. == The key is this: Seasons of life change. When you’re young, embrace the grind. Push your limits. Be unbalanced. But as life evolves, so should your approach. This is what works for me—what would you add to the list?

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.

I always hear professionals say things like, "My family is most important. If my wife calls, I'll step out of any meeting to take that call." This is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard... Here's why: For years, I struggled with the traditional concept of work-life balance. I thought I was failing because I couldn't neatly separate my day into "work time" (8-5) and "family time" (evenings and weekends). The reality? Legal careers don't work that way. Unlike other jobs where the employee can clock out after a shift, attorneys are mentally "on call" almost constantly. I'd feel guilty answering emails at night, then guilty again for missing family moments during the day. It was lose-lose until I finally realized something important: Work-life balance in law isn't about equal BLOCKS of time - it's about being fully PRESENT in smaller CHUNKS of time throughout your day. Here's what I mean: When I drop my kids at school in the morning, that's family time. I'm present, not checking emails. When I'm in client meetings, that's work time. I'm focused there. If my daughter has a tennis tournament at 3pm, I leave work early. That's family time. After dinner, I might work for a few hours. That's work time again. For this to work, you need two things: 1) A family that understands your career involves trade-offs (sometimes working nights, but also flexibility during traditional work hours) 2) A workplace that trusts you to manage your time (not measuring value by hours in a seat) And here's where many attorneys get it wrong: My wife knows she can call anytime, but I won't always answer. If it's truly urgent, she'll call twice, and I'll step out. But we both understand that an important client meeting shouldn't be interrupted to talk about what we're having for dinner. This isn't about prioritizing work over family. It's about respecting both by giving each your full attention when appropriate. Old-school law firms struggle with this. If a partner walks by and you're not in your seat, they assume you're slacking—never mind the four hours you put in after your kids went to bed. Legal careers demand flexibility. Sometimes emergencies happen during vacations. Sometimes you miss work for family events. Neither means you're failing at balance. Balance isn't about perfectly equal time. It's about being intentional with the time you have, wherever you are.

Your work-life balance isn't broken. Your boundaries are. The constant guilt. The midnight emails. The endless "sorry" before taking lunch. They're not signs of dedication. They're symptoms of boundaries in crisis. High performance shouldn't come at the cost of your peace. 👉🏼 8 boundary fixes that actually work 1️⃣ You apologize for basic needs ↳Keep it simple. Try, "back at 1pm" ↳Put lunch in your calendar like a meeting 2️⃣ You're always available ↳Delete work apps from your phone ↳Set one offline hour daily 3️⃣ You feel resentment building ↳Wait 24 hours before saying yes ↳Track the things that bother you. Address what you can. Reframe everything else. 4️⃣ You don't take your paid time off ↳Book 2 days off now ↳Plan one health day monthly 5️⃣ You respond instantly to everything ↳Block 3 dedicated email hours (morning/noon/late day) ↳Create auto-reply templates for off-hours 6️⃣ You feel guilty setting limits ↳List times you said no - notice you survived ↳Link to outcomes: "I deliver better work when..." 7️⃣ You over-explain everything ↳Keep responses under 20 words ↳Stop giving reasons for breaks 8️⃣ You default to 'yes' ↳Figure out what's important - align your "yes's" accordingly ✨ ↳Try, "I'll check my calendar and get back to you" You don't need better time management. You need braver boundaries. Which fix will you implement today? -- ♻️ Share to help others recognize their boundary blind spots 👉 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies to succeed without burning out

People often ask about my hours when they learn I’m based in Spain. Here’s how it works: Most of my team is in Toronto, but we also have offices in the US, UK, Brazil, and India. Because of this, my team is used to coordinating across time zones when it makes sense. As a contractor, I’m capped at 30 hours per week and have the flexibility to set my own schedule. Since I’m not a morning person, the time difference works perfectly for me. I typically start around 2 p.m. and wrap up by 8 p.m. My coworkers are mindful of the time difference and usually provide 24 hours' notice when scheduling meetings. If my last meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., I might adjust my start time to 11 a.m. so I can finish earlier. That said, I always ensure I’m available from 3 to 6 p.m. This overlap allows me to respond promptly to team chats or other urgent requests. If someone sends an email or message after 8 p.m., there’s no expectation for me to reply immediately. Working across the globe is entirely manageable. It just takes a bit of overlap, mutual consideration, and self-discipline. For me, the flexibility to work from a place that makes me happy is a major motivator—and worth every adjustment! How does your team handle scheduling and communication in a remote setup?

I’ve been managing remote teams across different time zones for over a decade. But I struggled. → I didn’t have a set process. → I didn’t understand how to make time zones work in my favor. → I didn’t know how to balance flexibility and structure. 1. The first mistake is failing to acknowledge the time zone challenge. Many leaders assume that their team can sync up despite being spread across the globe. But the reality is, time zone differences create major barriers to productivity and communication. When I first scaled my company, I made the same mistake. I tried to get everyone working in overlapping hours, but it led to constant delays, frustration, and burnout. The result was:  → Miscommunication because not everyone is available at the same time. → Missed opportunities due to delayed responses. → Team members feeling disconnected. But then I realized I needed to embrace time zone differences instead of fighting them. Here’s how I fixed it: → Accept time zone differences as a reality and create overlap windows for collaboration. → Communicate expectations clearly around working hours and availability. → Focus on asynchronous work and ensure key tasks can be completed without needing everyone to be online simultaneously. 2. The second mistake is neglecting to establish clear communication protocols. Time zone challenges make communication even trickier, and without clear protocols, your team will be left guessing when to connect or how to share updates effectively. I learned this the hard way. At one point, we had team members scattered across five time zones, and without a plan for how and when to communicate, things slipped through the cracks. The result was: → Information is missed or misunderstood. → Confusion around when to reach out and how to collaborate. → Employees feel “out of the loop” or disengaged. Here’s how I fixed it: → Implemented tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to streamline communication. → Set clear guidelines for response times, preferred communication channels, and meeting schedules. By learning from these mistakes, I’ve been able to turn time zone differences into an advantage rather than a barrier. Don't let time zones be your excuse for poor management—make them work to your advantage.

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁: 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 It’s easy to blur the lines between work and personal life. Setting boundaries is crucial to maintain your well-being and productivity. Here are ten tips to help you avoid burnout and achieve a healthier balance: 𝟭. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 ↳ Define specific start and end times for your workday and stick to them. Avoid working outside these hours unless absolutely necessary. 𝟮. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 ↳ Schedule regular breaks throughout your day to rest and recharge. Use this time to step away from your workspace, stretch, and relax. 𝟯. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 ↳ Designate a specific area for work, separate from your living space. This physical boundary helps you mentally switch between work and personal life. 𝟰. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗼 ↳ Don’t overcommit yourself. Politely decline additional tasks or projects that exceed your capacity to avoid overwhelming yourself. 𝟱. 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 ↳ Disable work-related notifications on your phone and computer after work hours to prevent constant interruptions and allow yourself to disconnect. 𝟲. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 ↳ Block out time in your calendar for personal activities, hobbies, and relaxation. Treat this time as non-negotiable, just like a work meeting. 𝟳. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 ↳ Communicate your availability clearly to colleagues and supervisors. Let them know when you are not available for work-related matters. 𝟴. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳 ↳ Make sure to take your allotted vacation days and time off. Use this time to completely disconnect from work and recharge. 𝟵. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 ↳ Incorporate self-care activities into your routine, such as exercise, meditation, reading, or any activity that helps you relax and unwind. 𝟭𝟬. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 ↳ Don’t hesitate to seek support from supervisors, HR, or a mental health professional if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Discuss workload adjustments if needed. 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧. ---------- Follow me Gav Blaxberg for more content like this. ♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

I was told I was too hands-off for doing this. For my team, I didn't consider flexibility just a perk ↻ it was built into how we worked. While we all lived in CST time zone, the team was in charge of covering CST, EST, and PST. I organized the team into three "pods." When hiring, there was always a time zone that needed coverage, ↻ and that’s what they were brought on for. But here’s the key: ↻ I noted their preferences if they preferred working different hours. If a spot in their preferred time zone opened up, they had first dibs ↻ if they still wanted it before posting the opening. Beyond that, within each pod, they had the freedom to structure their workday in a way that best suited them: ⏰ 8-4 with no lunch break ⏰ 10-6:30 with a half-hour lunch ⏰ 7-4 with an hour lunch ⏰ 8:30-5 with a half-hour lunch Etc…you get the point! My only requirement? ↻ Customer hours had to be covered. If someone had an appointment or needed time off, they coordinated among themselves. ↻ I didn't need to know. Each pod had a leader to help facilitate, and they’d only escalate to me if there was a real issue. ⇢ Some called this approach too hands-off. ⇢ I called it trusting and empowering my team. <Read the carousel for my 5 tips to managing with flexibility.> What do you think? Would this work in your team? (PS If you have new managers that need training on how to be effective leaders, I know just the person...)

62% of Indian remote workers feel pressured to respond to work messages during off-hours, causing burnout and impacting work-life balance. Why am I sharing this? Because if you’re feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications and the pressure to be perpetually available, you’re not alone. Studies conducted by companies like Tata Group indicate that while WFH offers flexibility, it also increases mental strain. Many report finding it challenging to maintain a structured daily routine and a clear separation between work and home life, Especially with the presence of family at home or makeshift office spaces. Remember, it’s okay to set boundaries. Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you have to be on-call 24/7. Your mental health and productivity will thank you in the long run. Just like a dead-end job or a toxic environment, this too is figureoutable. Create a schedule that works for you, set those “unavailable” hours, and protect your well-being. Here are three ways to reclaim your work-life balance in a WFH world: 1. Establish “Do Not Disturb” Times: Decide on fixed hours to log off and stick to them. Use calendar notifications or “Do Not Disturb” settings to signal to your team that you are offline. 2. Take Actual Breaks: Step away from your workspace during breaks. Even short breaks can refresh your mind and reset your focus. 3. Set Communication Expectations: Let colleagues know when you’re available and when you’re not. This will help manage others’ expectations and reduce unnecessary pressure. Your time is yours set the boundaries, and protect it. #wfh #tata #remotework #burnout #worklifebalance #manager #jobs #employee #india #linkedin

A Chief of Staff’s strength isn’t always being available.     It’s trusting themselves enough to step back.      As a Chief of Staff, your team and your leader relies on you… a lot.      You’re their go-to. Their problem solver. Their safety net.     The one who keeps things running even when they’re in back-to-back meetings, on the road, or deep in strategy mode.     But here’s the thing: you can’t be any of those things if you’re burnt out.     Boundaries aren’t about stepping away from your responsibilities. They’re about ensuring you can lead effectively when it matters most.     So, how do you set boundaries while keeping trust intact?     Start here:     🟡 Set Clear Expectations     ↳ Define your availability and stick to it. Communicate your “office hours” and when you’re off the clock.    ↳ Align with your exec on what truly needs your attention versus what can be delegated.     🟡 Define ‘Urgent’ Together     ↳ Not everything needs an immediate response. Decide what’s urgent and what can wait.    ↳ Protect focus by distinguishing between urgent and routine tasks.     🟡 Use Technology Wisely     ↳ Automate where possible. Set clear OOO messages and delegate tasks.    ↳ Turn off unnecessary notifications so you’re not distracted by things that can wait.     🟡 Lead by Example     ↳ Respect your boundaries, and others will too. Model sustainable leadership and make time for rest.    ↳ When you prioritize well-being, your team will follow suit.     🟡 Create a Handoff System     ↳ Build a capable team that can manage in your absence. Define clear roles and responsibilities.    ↳ Set processes that empower others to take over without confusion.     🟡 Retrain Yourself to Disconnect     ↳ Trust your team to handle things while you’re offline. The work will still be there when you return.    ↳ Rest is part of leadership. Recharge to be more focused and effective.     🟡 Reassess Regularly     ↳ Periodically check in with your team to see if boundaries are working or need adjusting.    ↳ Get feedback and stay open to adapting as your role or team evolves.     The best Chiefs of Staff don’t just manage chaos—they manage their energy.     Because when you set boundaries, you show up sharper. More focused. More effective.     So, say it with me:     “I won’t be checking email, so if you need anything, please give me a call.”     And then? Actually, disconnect.    In the comments: How do you set boundaries in a high-demand role?     ♻ Share to help spread awareness of the Chief of Staff role.       👋 Follow Maggie Olson for daily CoS & leadership insights.