On the heels of last week’s post, The Four C’s of Simplicity: Part One, is this weeks’s installment, The Four C’s of Simplicity: Part Two! Last week we touched on the first C, which is CLARIFY your priorities.
The Second C: CREATE Space For Your Priorities
Once you’ve figured out your most important functions and role, you can clarify the actions that support those roles. That’s all well and good, but unless you deliberately create SPACE in your life to act on those priorities, having clarity is meaningless.
The only way to create space for your priorities is by establishing boundaries. Boundaries on your time, your space, your energy, and your willingness to commit. Some people attach a negative connotation to the word boundaries because it sounds like an admonishment.
Do you feel personally offended by a DO NOT ENTER sign? How about a NO FISHING FROM BRIDGE sign or a rope blocking the entrance to an amusement ride? These are all just boundaries and they aren’t punitive – they’re INFORMATIVE. That’s what boundaries are. They’re information that others use to adapt their behavior. But nobody will know where you boundaries are if you keep them a secret.
Here are five simple ways to begin establishing boundaries at home and at work so you’ll have time and space to focus on your highest priorities:
1. Create Policies. Businesses have policies and you should too! A policy is just a decision you make ahead of time so you don’t have to make it over and over again. Personal policies are a must when you’re a super-cool busy person because they make decision-making easy. There are tons of areas in your life, where you can create policies to help simplify decision-making. Pick a few areas and start making some! Here are some of my own policies:
- No crewneck t-shirts. It doesn’t matter how cute the shirt is, if it’s a crew neck, I don’t buy it.
- No eating at chain restaurants when I’m out of town on business. This forces me to try local establishments.
- I don’t answer my business phone after 7:00 p.m. or for numbers that come through as “unknown” on caller ID.
- I don’t book a speaking engagement if I’d have to speak during a banquet. Even the best speaker can’t compete with clinking silverware and table conversation.
- I don’t pay for print advertising.
2. Use Voicemail. We all know about letting incoming calls go to voicemail, and it’s a tried and true strategy to establish a boundary on the fly. But you can also use voicemail as a boundary for outgoing calls too. When calling long-winded people you typically get caught on the phone with, just wait to call until after business hours so you’ll be sure to get their voicemail. Leave your message and you’re done super quick.
3. Communicate Clearly. You’re given opportunities to set boundaries daily. Whether you’re sending your entree back because you don’t like it, or you’re on the phone complaining to the cable company, these are opportunities to set boundaries in the moment. If a situation is unacceptable to you, set a boundary by clearly (and unemotionally) what you want. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
4. Auto-respond. If you follow the rule of not checking email first thing in the morning, or checking it as specific times during the day, that’s a fantastic boundary. To make it even better, use an auto-responder to communicate that boundary to others so they know when to expect a response from you.
5. Use A Barrier Method. If you have an office, close the door and hang a Please Do Not Disturb or a “Will Be Back At…” sign on it for all to see. If you work in a cubicle, consider a physical barrier such as a Cube Guard to let people know you’re in a period of focused work time.
When you establish and communicate your boundaries, you’ll be less stressed, more productive and others won’t be able to steal your most valuable resource – your time.
Stay tuned to my blog for the Third C of Simplicity which will release next Thursday. In the meantime, I’d love your comments -- how have you established boundaries and policies that make your life simpler?
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