Setting Boundaries When Working Flexible Hours

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.

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.  

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

“Charlie sends too many after-hours emails, and it gives me anxiety.” That was the feedback I received a few years ago during one of our engagement surveys. I’ll admit...it stung at first. I’ve always been passionate about my work and inspired to work when the creative energy arises; which often means sending emails outside of work hours. But, what I thought was harmless to others turned out to unintentionally impact my team’s ability to find work-life balance. That feedback was a wake-up call for me.  So, we made a change. We introduced a policy to eliminate emails after 6pm. This policy lives under our greater “Workplace Flexibility Policy” and these days, it’s becoming known as a “Right to Disconnect” policy. Either way, the guidelines are the same… Employees not expected to check or respond to messages outside of regular work hours…and, if work is done after-hours, team members are encouraged to “Schedule Send” emails to arrive during work hours. Simple but powerful. Our policy has been in place for us for a few years now, and it’s helped set the tone for healthy boundaries and work-life balance. I’m excited to see that there are larger conversations around the “Right to Disconnect,” with some nations and even U.S. states considering legislation to ensure employees can fully unplug. Whether driven by laws or company culture, the message is clear: Boundaries matter. I share this because that one piece of tough feedback ended up being a gift to me and my team. It helped me grow as a leader, helped our company culture shape and formed the DNA of who we are today. Now tell me…have you ever worked somewhere with a “Right to Disconnect” policy? Who agrees that it's time to normalize flexibility like this? 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️ #worklifebalance #disconnect #flexibility

I spent a decade sacrificing everything for my first company (health, family, even my honeymoon). Now, as a dad of three, I'm building my 2nd company completely differently. Here's how: == I used to work 16-hour days, weekends, and holidays. Now? • I work 8-5. • I don’t work weekends. • I take a month-long family trip every summer. Here’s how I made it happen: == 1. Redefine success. During my first startup, success meant hustle and hyper-growth at any cost. Now, success is about building a business that: • Lasts 50+ years. • Stays profitable from day one. • Protects my health and relationships. == 2. Set non-negotiable boundaries. I made a rule when I started @useonward: I work 8-5, Monday through Friday. That’s it. Busyness is no longer a badge of honor. Setting boundaries make you sharper, more creative, and more present as a leader. == 3. Choose a business model that aligns with your life. I picked B2B SaaS because it’s: • High-margin, low-cost, scalable. • Free from the relentless pace of retail or DTC. • Purely remote—no office, no commute. == 4. Go all-in on remote work. Tools like @loom, @NotionHQ, and @asana allow us to: • Document processes async. • Communicate clearly & concisely. • Build process & systems that run without me. The goal? A business that doesn’t depend on me 24/7. == 5. Optimize for longevity, not burnout. During my first company, there were no days off. Now, it’s about properly integrating family & work. Take the long family trip - empower your team but stay on top things. Burnout isn’t proof of dedication. It’s a leadership failure. == 6. Give yourself permission to build differently. The old me would’ve called these boundaries lazy. But here’s the truth: boundaries make you better. The goal isn’t to grind endlessly. It’s to create a company that works for you—not the other way around. == Building a startup doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health, family, or happiness. Follow Josh Payne for lessons on scaling profitably, creating balance, and building a business you love.