Setting Boundaries for Client Requests

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

10 Ways Accountants Can Set Boundaries WITHOUT DAMAGING RELATIONSHIPS 🛑✋ Ever had a client who sends you tax documents the DAY BEFORE filing deadline? Or a boss who wants you to "adjust" some numbers to make the company look better? I deal with these situations ALL THE TIME and wanted to share some professional ways to set boundaries while keeping your clients and colleagues happy... ➡️ SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS Instead of: "I'll do the reconciliation whenever you send the documents" Try this: "When you can reconcile financial statements or produce tax filings is dependent on clients sending the data on time." Clients actually get it when you explain deadlines this way. Puts the ball in their court without damaging the relationship. ➡️ TRANSPARENT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES Instead of: "We need to record this as a deferred liability" Try this: "We are recording the expense for accrual purposes, but the actual cash is delayed." Skip the accounting jargon, just tell them what's happening with their money in PLAIN ENGLISH. ➡️ MAINTAINING ETHICAL STANDARDS Instead of: "I can increase the numbers to meet the board's objectives" Try this: "I wouldn't be able to book this entry because it doesn't reflect reality." Standing up for what's right might be awkward for 5 minutes... compromising your ethics follows you FOREVER. ➡️ MANAGING WORKLOAD EFFECTIVELY Instead of: "I can't take on this project right now" Try this: "I am happy to handle this, but that would mean that I would need to push this other project back. Which would you like me to prioritize?" Use this when you're drowning during tax season... works EVERY TIME and clients respect you more for it. ➡️ VERIFICATION PROCESSES Instead of: "The vendor emailed me this information so I processed it" Try this: "I called the vendor to confirm that his wiring details were correct." This simple check has saved me from so many awkward situations... plus clients appreciate your attention to detail. ➡️ RESEARCH-BASED ANSWERS Instead of: "I think this tax treatment is correct" Try this: "I'll research this treatment and confirm with current regulations by tomorrow." Don't guess!!! Your professional reputation is worth more than a quick answer. ➡️ QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES Instead of: "I didn't have a chance to review, so I just submitted it" Try this: "I double-checked the work and made sure that everything was aligned before I sent it." Quality control isn't just a nice-to-have... it's the difference between keeping and losing clients. ➡️ PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION Instead of: "I assumed things were going well since I haven't heard from you" Try this: "I'd love to check in to hear how things are going. Is there anything I can improve upon?" Most accounting problems = communication problems in disguise. FACTS. === What boundary-setting phrases do you use? Share your go-to phrases in the comments below 👇

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.

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 🙌