ur work worlds are evolving.

With shifts towards hybrid work, sweeping technological advances, ever more global teams, and generational shifts bringing both Millennials and Gen Zers to leadership tables, we are undergoing some serious changes in our corporate spaces. A central theme alongside all this includes conversations about work stress, work/life balance, and how we will manage all the changes. I’m most inspired by the conversations that are shifting into more honest dialogue about what individual and corporate wellness really is—finally, we are having much needed conversations around work boundaries.

It’s about time.

We’ve needed work boundaries for decades. We’ve tried all sorts of stress management, time management, and efficiency improvers—and none of it has truly worked. It’s time to start identifying the crux of the matter: we are doing too much and we need to set some boundaries. The challenge is that the majority of us have never had formal boundary training or even really know the difference between our limits and our boundaries. Within our corporate environments, we don’t even know what this would look like.

To start, it’s always helpful to have a model to follow, something to ground us and align our intentions as we move forward. This is the model I’ve used personally and with clients for over a decade: Self-Care + Awareness = Boundaries (SC+A=B).

Another way I like to look at this model is as follows: Energy + Choice = Power.

Self-care cultivates energy. Awareness cultivates our ability to see reality, and as a result, directly impacts our choice. Boundaries are the authentic representation of our inner Yes, our inner No, and all the nuanced answers in between. Power arises when we commit and set our boundaries, because that’s how we fully align our values, voice, and actions.

Here’s why the model works:

• Continuously Strengthens the Self/Individual: Each part of this model (Self-Care + Awareness = Boundaries) strengthens the individual. Resilient organizations are built by resilient individuals. When we strengthen our team members, their work outcomes reflect this strength. Whether that is enhanced creativity, increased engagement, stronger connections and empathy skills in leadership, or the ability to make sound decisions in complex and stressful situations, strengthening the individuals who run our organizations is always good business.
• Simple & Deepens Through Application: The strongest tools are simple to follow but powerful in application. Tools that cut through to the essence of a teaching provide massive leverage and potential for impact. This model is that. As I grow, so does my understanding and connection to each aspect of this model. It’s ongoing learning and a never-ending opportunity to renew and recommit myself to the impact my actions have through my work.
• Can Be Used Anywhere: It doesn’t matter if I’m heads down in Excel spreadsheets, focused on meeting a project deadline, or folding laundry with dinner on the stove while my dog whines to be let out—it’s all work. There is value in leveraging a model that integrates our personal needs and the needs of the moment, whether that moment is at work or home. Personal. Professional. Intermixed. It’s this blending of worlds we need to become adept at, and we need tools that work in both environments.

As we look a bit closer into this model, we can break it out into each of its components:

Self-care is such a buzzword these days, likely because we are in deep need of what if offers. Yet I often find self-care is misunderstood. It can sometimes feel like self-care is something one has to “do.” One more thing to add to the plate. One more action to complete for the day. This is completely counter to what self-care actually is. If anything, we need less actions, less to-dos. Self-care should be just that: care. It should feel rejuvenating. Revitalizing. Energizing. And if it doesn’t, it’s not self-care.

Case Study #1*: A client once stated: “I run after work to release stress. Sometimes though, my runs feel like they aren’t really self-care. I have to do them to be healthy, but they don’t always feel good. Sometimes, I have physical pain afterwards. They feel more like a ‘to do’ instead of a support.” First off, kudos to the client for their inner awareness in this space. Second, my question was this: “What did your body and mind need at the moment you decided to go on that run?”

Often, we “think” we need something, when in reality our body is requesting something else—like rest. Or a walk. Self-care is not an action we perform—it’s a mindset we live. Learning to listen and act from a place of true caring for ourselves is powerful, as it provides us what we need at a much more foundational level. This client started incorporating alternative physical exercises and more self-care throughout the workday to help relieve stress.

Awareness is that ability to focus and be reflective. Done well, it requires honesty, along with a good dose of humility and compassion. Strategizing, critical decision making, and creative problem solving all fall under this category. Ultimately, it ties back to the old adage of our inability to see “the forest for the trees.” The strength and importance of awareness is really seen in the decision itself. The ability to understand and access a multitude of choices in any moment is the heart of creativity and the core of innovation and critical problem-solving skills. The stronger our awareness skills—internal, external, environmental—the better decisions and outcomes we’ll have.

Case Study #2*: This client had recently been assigned a new role and was assuming new responsibilities. He and his direct supervisor recognized the need to support him at a foundational level, as he stepped into higher leadership positions. His first focus was incorporating more self-care throughout his workdays. Over time, this increased his energy levels and gave him more stamina. His approach to work became more sustainable as his commitment to self-care grew.

What was most exciting for him, though, was when he started applying his newfound strength from self-care towards building awareness. That’s when things really started to shift. He started to gain insights about the impact that his energy levels had on his work outcomes. Specifically, he noticed how his increased energy enhanced his attention—which directly impacted his choices and decisions. After recognizing this, he doubled down on his boundaries. As a result, this opened up a wealth of inner resources, and the impacts started playing out professionally.

Boundaries are a path to power. When our energy levels are strong, and we have access to choice, we can more easily align our values with our actions. This is the core of personal leadership and impact. This is the power of boundaries.

Case Study #3*: An entrepreneur and CEO of a small firm contacted us to get some practical tools and coaching around boundaries. Her to-do list was overflowing, and she was routinely feeling tired, a bit frazzled, and frustrated. These feelings were starting to seep into her family life, which she worked hard to defend and protect from her busy work life.

We followed our model and started focusing strongly on self-care. In time, she reported feeling recharged and more energized during her days. Once strengthened, she dove deep into her mindset and habitual patterns around “striving.” She recognized that many old belief patterns and work approaches which had led to her professional success were now stifling and no longer supportive. She began integrating strategic downtime for herself. The pauses and reflections strengthened her awareness, both personally and professionally. As a result, she learned to support her energy levels and found new clarity for decisions—which led to better outcomes personally and for her company.

Boundaries are often classically defined in binary terms such as Yes/No or What’s OK/What’s Not OK. There are times this view of boundaries is necessary. However, largely boundaries are a bit more nuanced than that. They arise first from an understanding of ourselves, our needs, and our ability to express our needs (and in instances of supervision, the needs of others) in each moment. Each moment changes. Each circumstance is different; context is key.

Working with boundaries takes time and requires commitment. It requires unpacking mindsets and belief patterns that keep us stuck and silenced. It’s not easy work, yet the challenge and difficulty in setting boundaries is exactly what makes boundary work so powerful. When implemented well, the leverage boundaries provide for individuals and organizations is massive. Newfound energy we get to take home to our families and communities. Energy that can be applied towards engagement, creativity, and growth. Clarity of choice leading to better decision making, improved problem solving, and composure in complex and stressful situations. The opportunities are immense. Energy + Choice = Power.

Welcome to the wellness revolution.

*Case studies altered slightly to maintain confidentiality of clients.