September 2011 Newsletter - Create Better Boundaries

Published: Thu, 09/08/11

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Clare Evans - Personal & Business Coach

September 2011 - Issue 86 - www.clareevans.co.uk


Hello ,

Welcome back after the Summer break.

How was it for you? Did you manage to take a break from work or have you been juggling work and family over the last few weeks or too busy working to take a break?

It's the start of a new school year and it's also a great time to refresh or Kick Start your business, as we move into the last few months of the year.

What could you learn, what would you like to change or do differently between now and the end of the year?

I've got a great offer for you this month to get you moving in the right direction or to make those changes you've been putting off or just haven't quite found the time for.

Limited Offer: Book a Kick Start Programme this month and get an extra session free - five sessions for the price of four.  A fantastic way to get motivated and see instant results in a short-space of time.

Click here or email me for more information. 

You can now book a free Strategy Session online via Tungle.  Just select a couple of available time slots and I'll get back to you with a confirmed time.

Keep in touch and get extra news, offers, tips and info from my blog, on Twitter or connect with me on Facebook or Linked In

Enjoy the rest of this month's newsletter.

Clare

P.S. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to friends and colleagues.  Thank you.


Create Better Boundaries

One of the biggest factors in improving your time habits, is to create better boundaries for yourself and others.

Creating boundaries and setting expectations allows you to make better choices with your time and prevents misunderstandings and confusion.

Define the limits of responsibility and behaviour that you're happy to accept.  Decide what you'll do if these boundaries are crossed. It's no good having boundaries if they're not going to be defended.

Demands on your time come from many different directions - your boss, your colleagues, your staff, your partner, family, friends.

Make your boundaries clear, so people know what's acceptable and what's not and don't make assumptions.


Define Your Boundaries

Set clear boundaries at home, at work and in your personal and professional relationships, to protect your time and space.

- What are your working hours? These may be defined by your boss and part of your contract or define them for your clients and customers.

- Do you need to work evenings and weekends?  It may be a necessary part of your business but it doesn't mean working every evening and weekend.

- How much social time do you have? Set boundaries outside of work too - allow for switch off time, as well as time for friends, family and interests outside of work.

Working from home, may give you greater flexibility around start and finish times but it's just as important to make sure you create boundaries and structure to your day.

Avoid the temptation to work long hours.  Just because the office is in the next room doesn't mean you can't switch off at the end of the day.

Let family and friends know when you're working and when you're not. Try something simple like a note on your office door when you're working and don't want to be disturbed.

When you get interrupted - let them know if it's not convenient and you're busy.

You have a choice as to how you spend your time - set clear boundaries and people will learn to respect your time.


Set Expectations

When working with clients, customers and colleagues, things often go wrong when you haven't clearly set expectations.

When setting expectations:

Who - is responsible for getting the work done?

What - specifically do they want you to do or what is it you want them to do?

When - does this need to be done?  Giving a timeframe enables you to manage your work.

How - is there a particular way in which this task needs to be completed?  If you have an idea of how this is going to be done does it match what they want?

Why - providing a reason and benefit for the what, when and how can create a sense of commitment and motivation.

It's important that expectations are communicated clearly. Summarise what's been requested - check-in every now and then to make sure nothing's changed and you're on track.

Having problems with your boundaries and want to manage yours and others expectations better? Give me a call.

You'll find more time management strategies including setting boundaries and expectations in the Take Control Of Your Time e-course.

Until next month.


  

Workshops, Events and Resources:



FREE Time Management Audit   Check your current time habits and get tips for quick and easy solutions.

Take Control of your Time - simple strategies to tackle key challenges.  Improve your time habits week by week - get more done in less time.

Free Strategy Session - book a free 30-45 minute session to discuss your issues and challenges.


Recent Blog Posts:

Taking Time Out From Your Business

 Networking Tips #17 - Offline vs Online

15 Minutes of Daily Exercise for Better Health

Take Time To Stand Still

Networking Tips #16 How Not To Network

How To Avoid Your Twitter Account Being Hacked

7 Tips To Avoid Last Minute Panic


Useful Resources

Article Marketer - automatic article submission site.; Write once, get read multiple times. www.articlemarketer.com

Aweber - Create your own automated newsletters. Follow up, tracking, & real-time stats. www.aweber.com

Market Samurai - A GREAT tool for improving your website SEO, keywords, Google Ads www.marketsamurai.com

Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book - simple, straightforward, no-nonsense practical tips and information.  Buy it on Amazon



Time Management For Dummies

Grab a copy of this best selling book and get off to a good start.

Over 11,000 copies sold.

Click the image
to buy from Amazon UK.


"Worth reading several times"

"Time management in easily understood sections"



Clare Evans
Personal and Business Coach

T: +44 (0)1273 588297
M: +44 07887 954512
E: [email protected]
W: www.clareevans.co.uk

LI: Linked In Profile
FB: Facebook Profile
FB Page: Time Management For Everyone




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