Setting boundaries as a female service provider

A client once told me: "I don’t know why, but I always end up saying yes, even when I don’t want to." She worried that if she set boundaries, people would see her as difficult or unhelpful. And she’s not alone - many women feel this way. We’re often taught that being agreeable earns respect. But in reality, respect doesn’t come from always saying yes, it comes from being authentic. Ask yourself: - When was the last time you said "yes" but meant "no"? - Whose approval are you seeking, and why does it matter so much? - What would you do differently if you weren't worried about being judged? True respect comes when you honor your own needs alongside others'. Here’s How You Can Break the Pattern with These Daily Habits: 1. Practice the 24-hour rule: When asked to commit to something, say "I'll get back to you tomorrow" to give yourself time to consider what YOU want. 2. Keep a "no" journal: Document each time you say no and how it felt. You'll see the world didn't end. 3. Replace apologies with statements: Instead of "Sorry I'm late," try "Thank you for waiting for me." 4. Script responses in advance for common requests: "That doesn't work for me" or "I have other priorities right now." 5. Start with low-stakes situations: Practice boundary-setting with strangers or service providers before moving to closer relationships. Remember: The most respected women aren't the most agreeable – they're the most authentic. #imagecoach #womenempowerment #boundaries #personaldevelopment

A lesson I'm learning time and time again. Too often, women are expected to bend their comfort to make things easier and more comfortable for others. In our careers, we see this by: - Having to work late to make sure a particular project or goal gets across the line. - Being tasked with "housekeeping tasks" like planning the teambuilding activity or ensuring the dinner plans for the team are settled. - Having to prove that what we did made some astronomical organizational impact when Brad was able to launch one project and is now VP. - Being expected to wait on a promotion due to "organizational constraints," yet those organizational constraints are nowhere to be found when Brad is up for a promo. - And more Women, particularly underrepresented women, are expected to do twice as much with half the resources and support. This is a tale as old as time. Not only does it burn us out, but it ensures nothing for us. - We're not promised career advancement. - We're not given further career development. - We're not provided with additional resources or support. So all we're doing is burning our light out for the sake of others. To that I say, "no thank you." And it manifests through boundaries, which can sound like: - "Thank you for thinking of me! Right now, I’m at capacity with my current workload. I can prioritize this if we shift or delay some other projects—let me know how you’d like to proceed." - "I want to make sure I’m focusing on the priorities aligned with my role. Could we discuss whether this fits into my responsibilities or if there’s someone else better suited to handle it?" - "Housekeeping tasks are important, but I believe it would benefit the team if we rotate or share them to ensure everyone has equal bandwidth for their primary responsibilities. Could we create a system to manage this together?" 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺. What are other ways you assert your boundaries at work? Drop them in the comments! 🧡 Editor's note: Nothing against Brads! Was just thinking of a more common man's name who I often see being promoted, usually of the European-American variety. _______________________________________ ♻️ Repost to support others Have you subscribed to You Belong Here yet? https://lnkd.in/gqMquD5j

📌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!

I am (not) your mother, Luke.   Or your sister. Or girlfriend. Or your wife.   I am your boss.   And yet, as a female leader, I often found that my team members unconsciously placed me in a caregiving role. Which triggered in me a need to nurture them, which undermined my authority, and was no good for any of us.   I’m not alone in this. Many of the women leaders I work with in my role as mentor say the same thing. That when they have to make tough decisions, they get reactions that their male equivalents simply don’t have to face.   👩👦 The ‘mother’ role. You’re expected to be nurturing, to provide emotional support and protection. And any criticism may be taken as harsh, like being told off by mummy. 👩 The ‘sister’ role: You’re expected to be friendly, collaborative and fun. Assertiveness can be misread as aggression. 👰♀️ The ‘girlfriend / wife’ role: You’re expected to take on emotional labour, be a supportive ear, or even hand conflict in a soothing manner. These roles are a trap for women in business, where they feel that they have to balance warmth with authority, competence with compassion. And it’s exhausting!   The struggle is real ❌ Women may struggle to progress if they don’t conform to caregiving expectations ❌ Feedback from women leaders is more likely to be taken personally, rather than as professional guidance ❌ Women leaders may try to do it all, fulfilling both emotional and professional expectations – leading to burnout   To avoid this trap, women often try to take on what they perceive as a male archetype – becoming cold and harsh. But that’s not the best way forward. The answer is authenticity. How to be just you ✅ Educate your team and yourself about these biases – knowing about them is the first step to avoiding them ✅ Set boundaries – be clear about professional expectations versus personal involvement ✅ Communicate honestly – don’t feel you have to soften your message, be direct and clear ✅ Support other women – advocate for structures that allow women to lead without having to take on caregiving expectations. It’s time women stopped trying to be everything to everyone and focused on being just the very best version of themselves.   What about you? Are you a female leader who finds herself being put in these boxes? Are you a man working with women who expects them to be the caregivers? Let me know! ⬇️

My client set a simple boundary at work: "I don't answer emails after 7pm." Her manager called her "not a team player." The subtle retaliation began immediately: • Excluded from key meetings • Passive-aggressive comments • Impossible deadlines 2 months later: performance improvement plan. What her manager didn't mention? She was grinding 50-hour weeks with no overtime. They classified her as 'exempt' instead of 'non-exempt' so they could legally rob her of time-and-a-half pay. Here's what they don't tell you: "Team player" is often code for "willing to be overexploited without pushback." And some boundaries are LEGALLY PROTECTED. Examples: • Off-the-clock work: Hourly workers must be paid for ALL time worked. Many "exempt" classifications are illegal. • FMLA/medical leave: You can't be punished for taking protected leave. • Reasonable accommodations: The ADA requires flexibility for medical conditions. • Retaliation: Illegal to punish you for asserting these rights. How to protect yourself: 1. Confirm expectations in writing ("Per our discussion, I'll be offline after 7 PM.") 2. Document everything - track changes in workload or tone. 3. Keep internal documentation - not recordings or external emails. 4. Seek legal advice before resigning or signing anything. Boundaries aren't about doing less work - they're about refusing to be exploited. Setting boundaries isn't selfish. It's self-preservation. And in many cases, it's your legal right. Follow for more workplace reality from an employment attorney who's seen it all. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for specific legal guidance. #employmentlaw #newyorklaw #humanresources #californialaw

‘Always on’ hustle culture isn’t success. It’s a recipe for burnout. The hidden cost of ‘success’ no one talks about👇 When Sarah first reached out, she looked like the perfect tech leader. But behind closed doors? A different story was unfolding. The Reality: → "Urgent" client needs consumed her evenings → Stakeholder expectations haunted her sleep → Weekends became just another workday The Breaking Point: → Constant exhaustion → Increasing anxiety → Disappearing boundaries She was ready for a change but unsure where to start. Our journey together revealed three essential shifts: 1️⃣ Setting Boundaries Without Guilt → Sarah believed saying "no" was selfish and weak. → We reframed that belief, showing boundaries to protect her well-being. 💡Result: She now blocks time for deep work and rest. 2️⃣ Redefining Success on Her Terms → Her goals were based on others' expectations, not her own. → We uncovered her personal values, letting her reclaim her purpose. 💡Result: She now makes decisions aligned with her authentic vision. 3️⃣ Prioritizing Self-Care as a Strategy → Self-care was an afterthought in her daily routine. → We introduced small habits, focusing on health and energy. 💡Result: She now feels calm, focused, and energized throughout the week. Now? She is thriving, both personally and professionally.  Her weekends are sacred, her goals are clear, and her confidence has soared. She’s not just surviving her role—she’s leading with purpose. Could this be your journey too?  Transformation starts with a single choice. P.S. I help women in tech build calm, confident careers so they can grow their impact, income, and fulfillment, without burnout.  If you are ready for a new beginning in 2025, I am just a DM away.    📩 If you enjoyed this content, you might like my newsletter here:  https://lnkd.in/g6PUXtCc  

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

I’ve spent years living by these words. “Be kind.” The problem is that there’s a fine line between being kind and being a complete pushover. And I see it all the time with female service providers like bookkeepers… they say it’s a caring profession, and it’s good to care and be kind. But we have to set boundaries. Here are 7 mistakes when it comes to kindness (and how to avoid them). 1/ Always saying Yes It’s ok to help, but saying ‘yes’ to every little thing burns you out and sets no limits. 2/ Being available 24/7 Kindness doesn’t mean being on-call all the time. Set working hours and stick to them. 3/ Discounting. No. Full stop. 4/ Avoiding tough conversations Honest feedback might seem harsh but sometimes it’s necessary. If it needs saying, say it. No need to mask the truth. 5/ Letting deadlines slip I’m not talking about you missing deadlines, I’m talking about the clients who are always late giving you what you’ve agreed - or contracted to. Flexibility is important but not at the cost of professionalism. Hold clients accountable to deadlines. 6/ Taking on extra work for free. No. 7/ Allowing late payments. Grace is great, but allowing clients to pay late repeatedly is unprofessional. Set clear payment terms. Enforce them. Remember they are a business owner and so are you. Not everyone has the same heart. Some clients won’t appreciate your kindness so don’t let kindness come at the cost of your business. What would you add? —-------------------------- I’m Zoe and I’m here to help you be the entrepreneur you want to be. Follow me for more.

How to deal with difficult clients. The importance of setting boundaries 👇👇 Looking back at my early days as a startup entrepreneur in 2021, I faced a few challenging clients that taught me the importance of setting boundaries. Some insisted on paying minimal costs, claiming it was for my exposure , with common statements like “you shouldn’t be looking at the money now. Your focus should be on doing good work so you can get more clients ” and always making it seem like they held the upper hand. Dealing with indecisive clients, constantly changing their minds and seeking everyone's opinion on design decisions, was a struggle. I’m sure other designers can relate to this. Without realizing the importance of boundaries, I found myself working on their terms, showing up every-time they called and all these weren’t billed hours, sacrificing my mental well-being for project opportunities. It wasn't until I worked with better clients who valued my skill that I learned the need to establish clear values for my business. As entrepreneurs, defining our principles is very crucial , helping us avoid going an extra mile to please difficult clients. Projects are essential, but it's equally vital to consider the cost, not just monetarily but also in maintaining our mental health. Setting boundaries is about protecting our time and preserving our sanity in the entrepreneurial journey. #InteriorDesigner #Entrepreneurship #ClientManagement #SettingBoundaries