Setting boundaries is hard for a lot of business owners.

We get this idea that if we’re not available around the clock, working 24-7, and saying “YES!” to every offer or project that comes our way, we won’t be able to keep our businesses growing and thriving.

Well, friends, I’m here to tell you, that’s a bunch of B.S.

It is COMPLETELY possible to set boundaries (and stick to them!) and still reach that next level of success. The only thing you’ll miss out on is the exhaustion and burnout that usually accompanies the hustle and grind culture!

It may seem counterintuitive, but better boundaries truly are the key to better business.

When you protect your personal time and prioritize the things you love, you’re putting yourself first, and that’s the way it should be! If you’re not in your best health, mentally, physically, and emotionally, you’re not going to be able to perform well in your business. You’re not going to be able to deliver amazing services or products to your clients, and you’re not going to be able to grow the business without total burnout.

So, let’s look at 5 boundaries that actually make your business better:

1. Guard Your Personal Time Fiercely
   
   Why did you start your business in the first place? You wanted more freedom, right? More flexibility and time to do the things you love?
   
   So, why are you sacrificing that personal time that you worked so hard to get? Where’s the reward in that?
   
   Your personal time matters! Doing the things you love with the people you love is the payoff for the amazing work you do. Never apologize for taking time to do the things that matter most to you.
   
   
2. Don’t Miss Out Because of Work
   
   If I asked you to name 3 things you missed out on because of work, could you do it? Of course you could! I don’t think there are any business owners that can’t, but that needs to change.
   
   I know it’s a cliché, but life IS short and I promise you that you won’t wish you’d spent more time at your desk.
   
   Be there for the things that matter. Work will wait. Don’t skip the soccer game or the bedtime story. That stuff will be gone before you know it, but somehow work seems to be always waiting for you!
   
   
3. Stop Putting Out Fires
   
   Do you run your business from the fireman perspective? You know, that panicky voice that sees every problem as a massive, 4-alarm emergency that must be extinguished IMMEDIATELY!!
   
   If you’re constantly in crisis mode, that’s going to take a major toll on your physical and mental health. (And your team is going to get REALLY tired of those 3am emails!)
   
   I’ve been in this business for a long time, and I’ve never seen a business blow up overnight. Not once. Problems might occur after business hours, but that doesn’t mean you have to deal with them right away. 9 times out of 10 it can wait until morning, and you’ll honestly come up with a better solution because you’re not operating from a place of fear and panic.
   
   
4. Set Your Hours and Stick to Them
   
   Could you work around the clock? Sure, but you shouldn’t. You need to dedicate specific hours of your day to work, and the rest belongs to YOU.
   
   Here’s the beauty of being a business owner – your working hours can be whenever you want them to be! You might choose 9-5, but there might be some creative night owls that thrive from 8pm to 3 am – and that’s fine. Do whatever works for you, but once you’ve set your hours you have to be diligent about sticking to them!
   
   
5. Don’t Set Yourself Up to Fail
   
   You might think that rise and grind, hustle 24-7 mindset is setting you up for success, but many of us find that it’s really the opposite.
   
   Some people love to be on the go constantly, and hustle culture may be exactly what they need, but the rest of us might benefit from a slower approach that gives us a little more time and space. The end results are the same, but when you set boundaries and protect your time, you arrive at your goal healthy, happy, and fulfilled, rather than exhausted and burned out.

Protecting your time becomes SO much easier when you’ve got a great team backing you up. That’s why I’m so proud of the incredible plug-and-play team at SophieZo. We become the instant backend of your business so that you can immediately take back your time and do more of what you love!

If you want more great tips on setting boundaries and avoiding burnout, check out this episode of Building Your Empire with SophieZo, and don’t forget to subscribe!