🧠Weekly Mind Sweep #144 | Mind Your Business | Boundaries
October 2024
Week 143: Curated Conversation: Boundaries
*Week 144: Mind Your Business: Boundaries
Week 145: Manage Your Mind: Boundaries
Week 146 What’s On My Mind: Boundaries
Week 147: Curator’s Perspective: Boundaries
New to the Weekly MindSweep? Past issues live here.
Let’s sweep the brain…
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In the MindSweep this week:
Curated Conversation with a nod to Thelma & Louise, with curated GIF’s & puns (for your entertainment).
Jamie’s Second Brain Corner: Need a map? I’ve got you!
What’s I’m Reading - TWO new for October!
Collaborations with Terri Hamilton (Thursday) & Shannon Giordano
My face đź’ś and a link to schedule your free consultation.
Minding Your Boundaries in Business and Life: A Roadmap for Entrepreneurs
Like moving our bodies, mindful meditation, or managing our financials, most of us know we should have boundaries in our business and personal lives. But putting it into practice?
Easier said than done.
As entrepreneurs, the lines blur quickly between idea generation and idea execution, networking meetings and breakfast, or working on our business and personal time on the weekends.
We’re driven by ideas and energy, but too often, we forget to pause and take care of minds and bodies. And while we keep looking for the next productivity hack to make things easier, spoiler alert: there is no silver bullet, and hacks don’t work.
Research shows that even before the pandemic, humans were already cutting back on sleep just to squeeze in more work. Post-pandemic, we’re more stressed, caffeinated, and—if we’re honest—unproductive.
So, what’s the solution? Boundaries.
When we take the time to define what we need to feel healthy and productive, both in our businesses and in our personal lives, we create a road map for our mental and physical well-being. This guide helps us navigate the challenges ahead with more clarity and direction.
A boundary could be as simple as deciding how to communicate with colleagues or when we’re willing to attend networking meetings. It sounds good in theory, but why is it so hard?
Take a road trip with me.
Imagine you’re on a scenic drive (say, Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah), navigating the winding roads of entrepreneurship. Every landmark is a \task, project, or opportunity that excites you.
You’ve packed snacks, days of caffeine, your favorite podcast lineup, and...no map.
Because, hey, who needs one when you’re driven by spontaneity and passion? Everything’s going fine until... you realize you’re lost.
Your car starts running low on gas (oh, hi, burnout).
There’s no cell service (no clear direction).
And you missed that “Rest Stop” sign about 50 miles ago (goodbye, business owner-life balance).
What could have saved you from this mess? Boundaries.
Boundaries are the map that ensures you don’t just drive endlessly without a plan.
They guide you through when to stop, when to turn, and when to hit the brakes entirely. Without them, you’ll likely drive yourself into the ground—running on fumes, exhausted, and stuck. With them, your journey becomes smoother, and you can enjoy the ride and reach your destination with your sanity intact.
In working with my clients, I’ve noticed that setting boundaries tends to bring up a lot of resistance.
Some people fear that boundaries will make them seem selfish,
while others are worried about how they’ll be perceived by their clients.
For those of us who are people-pleasers or perfectionists, boundaries can feel like a limitation—or worse, a personal failure.
But here’s the thing: boundaries aren’t about limiting yourself. They’re about ensuring you have enough fuel to keep going.
Entrepreneurs often crave structure but resist it at the same time.
Boundaries help strike that balance between spontaneity and stability, work and rest, and thriving and surviving.
So, how do you navigate the road ahead and actually start setting boundaries as an entrepreneur?
First, let’s break them down into two categories: hard and soft boundaries.
Hard Boundaries: Your non-negotiables are your deal-breakers, the “I absolutely will not” lines in the sand. They’re like the big, bold stop signs on your roadmap. For example, you might set a hard boundary: you won’t answer emails after 6 PM or never take on projects over the weekend. These boundaries are designed to protect your energy and mental well-being.
Soft Boundaries: are your aspirations. Soft boundaries are more like “yield” signs—flexible guidelines you strive to follow but aren’t as strict about. Maybe you aspire to walk away from your computer at 4:30 PM every day, but you’re willing to stay later if there’s a big project or client deadline. These boundaries allow for flow and flexibility without compromising your overall well-being.
By categorizing your boundaries, you become aware of where you’ll need to draw firmer lines and where you can afford some flexibility.
How to Create Boundaries You’ll Actually Keep:
Identify: Start by thinking about your most important priorities. What does your business really need to thrive? Use the “what if” exercise: If your business flipped upside down tomorrow, what would you absolutely miss, and what would you not mind letting go? This reflection will help clarify your hard boundaries.
Set One Hard Boundary: Pick one non-negotiable boundary to experiment with—something you know will protect your time and energy. Maybe it’s blocking out time for lunch each day or refusing to take calls after a certain hour. Stick with it for a week or two and see how it impacts your productivity and well-being.
Test a Soft Boundary: Try setting a soft boundary. Maybe you want to cut back on after-hours emails or reduce Zoom meetings. This boundary is more flexible, so experiment with how it fits into your life.
Evaluate: After a few weeks, reflect. Are you feeling less stressed or more energized? Are you getting more done or feeling more balanced?
As entrepreneurs, setting boundaries doesn’t come naturally.
And, it's okay to struggle with it.
We love the thrill of saying “yes” to new projects, taking on every opportunity, and keeping our minds racing at full speed. But without clear boundaries, we risk driving off a cliff and burning out.
Let’s not 'Thelma and Louise' ourselves, driving off a cliff in a reckless pursuit of freedom.
Instead, let's navigate our entrepreneurial journey with clear boundaries and a roadmap to success. Consider boundaries as the essential pit stops on your entrepreneurial journey. They’re not there to slow you down but to keep you going for years to come. [1]
When you mind your personal, professional, and time boundaries in your life and business, you’re not just creating limits—you’re building a roadmap to success that leaves room for joy, balance, and the occasional scenic detour.
Grab that map, set your course, and enjoy the ride.
My question for you this week :
What’s one area in your life or business where setting a boundary could help you feel more energized or productive?
Reply and share with me!
Let’s discuss ways I can support boundaries for you and your business.
Are you a like-hearted entrepreneur ready for support? Let's connect.
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Jamie’s Second Brain Corner
[1] Did you miss our month on Success?
[2] Did someone say MAP?! Learn more about my Personalized MindSweep Mapping Process!
MONDAY: 8 am - Curated Conversation - Zoom
Changing the world, one Monday Morning at a time. Learn more + Sign Up for a Monday morning reminder!
What I’m reading
The Judging Porch
Written by Rachael Dubinsky,
In her debut poetry chapbook, author and founder of Wicked Writers, Rachael Dubinsky, shares self-reflective poems aimed at encouraging others to embrace hardships and carve their own path forward.
The Judging Porch is a powerful poetry collection that explores themes like growth, acceptance, healing, fear, and strength.
_____________________
Rachael is a a dear friend and colleague active in our Chickbook Creative Community. Come on in and meet her!
I was featured in the Massachusetts Business Network Blog! Take a look!
You Have The Best Brain To Be An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are some of the best brains for generating ideas. They have the heart and determination to bring their gifts into the world to serve the people they deeply care about. Nothing excites them more than building a business they are proud of around something they are passionate about.
These same kind-hearted humans often feel challenged to take their really BIG ideas and break them down into smaller, actionable tasks that will allow them to execute them.
(You are not alone!)
Read the two common challenges I see Entrepreneurs face and 5 Mindful Strategies for support!
Collaborations!
Join us Friday, November 1st, at the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce for this two-hour interactive business community experience.
We'll discuss ways to cultivate business through Sales, Marketing, and Communication methods that support relationship building, showing up authentically, and connecting deeper with colleagues and the people you serve.
9-11 am - Open discussion, community support, brainstorming ideas
Join me in meeting business owners in our community. You'll leave with new tools to help you make connections and build your business!
Free; Registration is required: https://bit.ly/MWCoCNovember2024
Mindful Connections
Connecting like-hearted entrepreneurs to build relationships, offering support, understanding their passions, and sharing their names in rooms of opportunity.
Every Thursday, 12-1 pm EST.
12:00 - Take 5—a guided meditation with Terri Hamilton of Apparent Connection to ground your week with peace and focus.
12:05-1 pm Round-table Share
Who you are
The gifts you bring to the world
Who you serve
The answer to a Curated question to spark conversation.
If you found this on the web, sign up to join us!
In other news…
Feeling #FOMO about Curated Conversations? Join us!
