As I have journeyed through my different jobs, I have definitely learned that different people have different ideas about boundaries. I’ve been a workaholic before, and I’m not eager to return to the insane pace of that lifestyle because, honestly, I have regrets that will never be healed here on earth from being a workaholic. I believe in giving a job my all when I’m on the clock, but when I’m off the clock, my time is my own because that is the healthy approach for me.
If you are a hard-charging, hard-working individual who likes to put in 40+ hours a week, then that is your choice, but I have a question for you. Are you getting to enjoy any of the things your extra money is buying from all those extra hours, or are you just collecting stuff you never have time to use? I’ve been there, and right now, I’m going through the process of getting rid of a lot of stuff that I bought with extra money but never had time to use.
Because of a bad experience in my 20s, I believe in a healthy balance between my work life and personal life. I have a good work ethic taught to me by my parents. People are paying you to be the best you can be at work, and that’s what I try to provide. However, once I’m off the clock, my time is my own, and I don’t want the two to mix. I want to “switch off” my work brain and only apply my mind to my family, friends, and personal life. I have hobbies so I can make things for others and myself and focus on something that isn’t work related.
Some people don’t have those same boundaries, and when we meet in the workplace, we can wind up walking into someone else’s expectations on the matter. If you have promised that you will work overtime or extra hours, then you should honor that promise as long as you are properly compensated and still meeting family obligations. That’s what you agreed to after all. However, if someone is infringing upon your right to “switch off” on an unpaid lunch, after hours, or on the weekends (i.e. off the clock), it’s time to have a conversation.
Workplace boundaries are a completely legitimate concept. They’re of vital importance when you’re working with someone whose boundaries are different than your own. Boundaries keep the stress low and improve workplace output because staff aren’t worrying about their boundaries being violated. If you’re a manager, respecting the boundaries of your staff will earn you loyalty and effort, but disrespecting those boundaries will earn you discontent and lower quality work. As an employee, it’s okay to expect reasonable boundaries, and if someone is unreasonable, it might be time to consider if that’s where you really belong.
Just imagine that yellow line you used to see on buses that we were supposed to stay behind until the bus came to a stop. It’s okay to stay behind the yellow line and expect it of others out of respect. If someone cannot, then it’s time to repaint the line and reestablish the boundary. Keep that paint can ready to remind people where the boundaries are.
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Inspirational Verses for the Day:
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10 (NLT)
All Things Subject to Change 