Setting Boundaries and Standards for More Freedom

In the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to forget the importance of setting boundaries and standards. But these are the guidelines that will protect your time, energy, and well-being, ensuring that you can thrive without burning out. In this post, we’ll explore what are boundaries, what is the difference between standards, boundaries, and expectations, and how to know if you are lacking any of them.

Boundaries vs Standards

Boundaries, also known as personal boundaries in the context we are talking about, are a set of rules, limitations, and guidelines that we create to safely and reasonably interact with other people and identify permissible ways for others to behave towards us. Setting boundaries also entails consequences should our rules not be followed, and includes an understanding of the ways we will react in case our limits are pushed or crossed.

For example: “If we meet for the first time, you can not hug me.”

Standards are personal norms or requirements that we establish to indicate the level of quality at which we will perform, and the quality level that we expect others to match or exceed. These standards can be set in our personal life as well as our business. The idea of setting standards is common in many industries when handling standard operating procedures.

For example: “When writing copy we allow a maximum of 2 grammatical errors per 1000 words”

Boundaries and standards – What is the difference?

The difference between boundaries and standards is that a boundary is a limit that we want other people to not cross, while a standard is what we want people to deliver.

In short, a boundary says, “No. Not any further, ” and a standard says, “Yes, this is the minimum I want to see.

Expectations

Expectations are solid beliefs or assumptions about upcoming events, behaviours, or situations. Expectations are always biased since they are based on our own knowledge, experiences, and memories as well as emotions such as fear. For example: “I expect the weather to be cold and rainy in December in Germany.”

Expectations can be helpful or harmful. It depends on how we use them and how we take ownership of them.

We also must realize that we don’t know another person’s expectations until we ask them.

When we are able to set firm boundaries and standards that are high, then we should be able to manage our expectations properly as well, and there should be no surprises.

Signs You Might be Lacking Boundaries, Standards, and Expectations

• How to know if you lack boundaries

Do you feel stressed, exhausted, frustrated, anxious, depressed, or even mad after interactions with certain people?

• How to know if you lack standards

Do you get repeatedly frustrated, angry or feel like you have to explain yourself over and over again, for example to people on your team when you ask them to do a certain task?

• How to know if you lack expectations

Do people around you understand what is expected of them, after an interaction with you or do you have to keep asking for “add-ons” that you expected naturally?

If you recognize any of these signs, it’s time for a change. Don’t worry, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Book a 1:1 session with me here, and together, we’ll embark on a transformative process to establish healthier boundaries, set clear standards, and communicate expectations effectively. Your path to a more balanced and successful business starts here.