Productivity at the workplace is determined by how well you set boundaries, not only in the workplace but your general outlook to life. What matters most to you will always come first place in your list followed by what you least value. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results was termed as "insanity" by Albert Einstein. How then can you ensure that you are doing the right things at the right time with the right people and with the right resources?
Lack of boundaries points to lack of self-confidence and calls for an internal examination to understand self, what is commonly known as "self-awareness". I once came across a quote by Adam Smith on self-awareness that "The first thing you have to know is yourself. A man who knows himself can step outside himself and watch his own reactions like an observer." He argues in his book, The Money Game, that at the heart of successful investment lies the motives of self and greed and fear are key drivers of investment choices in the stock market. Self-awareness drives us toward the change we want see happen.
Just before we go to point number one, let us understand what boundaries is not. Boundaries is not being rude to your colleagues in the name of "standing up for yourself". It is not your office corner. It is neither the position you hold. It is more of who you are than what you do... keep following.
Tip #1 - Be self-aware: An inside job
I will mention three things here: be self-aware of your choices, biases and needs. Are there choices you have made before that are contributing to our low productivity? You may be struggling with an addiction or personal issues that hang over your head about how inferior you are. Once you realize this, keep tab of how this is affecting your productivity and change your narrative. For instance, is it making you have strained relationship with your colleagues? Does it make you lose confidence in who you are and your ability? Be Authentic with yourself and redefine your narrative.
Biases come in when you find instances that accommodating other perspectives is difficult and you would rather "pass". Working with teams means that biases can be challenged and increasing your self-awareness will help you see what other lenses to the problem there are. Mentioning your biases out loud can keep you accountable to yourself and remind you to be more accommodative. Beneath biases are belief systems that need to be challenged or affirmed.
Your needs are aspects of you that you are trying to bridge and are determined by the survival instincts of human beings. What happens to you if they are not met the way they should or the way you expected? Do you utter words that you will regret later? Does your frustration "lock" people out? What feelings and behavior do you observe when your needs are not met?
Tip #2 - Communication
Communication is more than the words or message from the sender to the receiver. With it it carries meanings that re informed by experiences and the above three aspects of self we mentioned: choices, biases and needs. More often than not, misunderstandings arise when we interpreted another person's message from our own lenses. For instance, a boss terms the work of a junior as meaningless and the junior takes it to mean that he is meaningless.
If our self-assertiveness and confidence is low, we will always find fault in what the other people say no matter how sincere their intentions are. I know the training on communication skills teach on the principles of communication. But no matter how much we learn if we are not able to move past our defenses, we will fail terribly at being productive at the workplace.
"If our self-assertiveness and confidence is low, we will always find fault in what the other people say no matter how sincere their intentions are."
Tip #3 - Develop disciplines based on what you value
Look back at a moment you were very proud and happy about yourself. What does it say about you? Are there things you have said "Yes" to when you meant to say "No"? What caused that? If your values are inconsistent, your boundaries will be blurry and hence send the wrong message to your colleagues.
Tip #4 - It's about relationships!
The best boundaries are those set when people have understood what you value and what your intentions are. We are wired in such a way that our brain will be moved and driven by positive emotion. The more authentic relationships are, the clearer your boundaries become. People at the workplace observe what we do and say, and this forms the basis of how they are going to relate with you. And sometimes this can be difficult when saying "No" to things you know you don't value.
Tip #5 - Develop your self-care plan
A self-care plan is a routine or practice that you incorporate within your days to help you recharge, take a rest and affirm your values and giftings. It can be a time to review your goals and celebrate the wins while finding better ways to do it better. Different people have different ways that they do this, so find yours and be as creative as possible.
Boundaries have patterns...
Boundaries enable us to channel our time and other resources to the most productive activities of the day and be accountable to our value systems. You will notice that how you set boundaries at workplace borrows from how you set boundaries in other areas such as your faith circles (e.g. church) with your family, friends or children (if you have them). Take time to examine these and see if there are areas you may need help on. Check on our resource area for a tool I have prepared to check patterns in your boundary setting and how this can help you become consistent and authentic in who you are.
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