Why Boundaries Matter in your Faith-Based Business
As Christian business owners, we often strive to match the teachings and actions of Jesus in our daily lives and businesses. One important aspect of His life that we tend to overlook is how He too set boundaries. Understanding and implementing boundaries is crucial for maintaining a healthy, harmonised, and successful business.
I am just as guilty of misunderstanding being a Christian who wants to help others like Jesus did but still remain healthy boundaries like He did too. Throughout His life, Jesus demonstrated the importance of setting boundaries. He would often withdraw Himself from the crowds and followers to pray and recharge (Luke 5:16). He knew when to say “no” to certain demands and when to put His Mission first (Mark 1:35-38). Jesus also set clear expectations from His followers/Disciples, teaching them the importance of rest and reflection (Mark 6:31). Now, how does implement in your life & business?.. Here are some examples of why boundaries matter in the business:
- Prevent Burnout
With there being an increase of business owners going into burnout – it is something we need to become more aware of. Whether it is your personal life that is contributing to your stress, or your business, it’s important to provide yourself space from it all and acknowledge when you going towards burnout.
- Maintain Focus
Without boundaries put in place, how are you able to focus on your own tasks that you need to complete as a business owner. Just as Jesus would separate Himself to pray from others to focus on what His Mission was – you need to too maintain your focus on your business’s mission. If we allowing others to overstep on your boundaries, in the workspace, are you truly able to focus on what you need to do?
- Foster Healthy Relationships
Have you ever had that one person in your team you are so close with and truly love their personality, but they don’t know how to respect boundaries or you haven’t sat down with them and shared your boundaries? How often do you get frustrated and overwhelmed with them and it’s because they do not know your boundaries. With boundaries in place, you can have healthy, respectful relationships.
- Promote Work-Life Harmony
Successful business owners will tell you one of the keys to their success was being able to workout their work-life harmony. If you would to ask how did they get to that, I can guarantee it is because they began to understand their own boundaries and how to implement them in their business. It is about finding what is your harmony between your personal and business life.
Practical tips for setting boundaries:
- Define Your Limits
You can still be true to your values as a faith-based business and have limits to helping others. You cannot pore from an empty cup. Share your limits to others and more importantly, be honest with yourself on what your limits are.
- Schedule Downtime
Whether its those moments in prayer, walks or anyway you find your mind distracted, schedule them in. Change the mindset of telling yourself you will have downtime when you can find time and start implementing in your daily routine. Take it as seriously as you do a client meeting. It is so important to have downtime to avoid burnout.
- Learn To Say No
Once again, I can just be as guilty with not saying no. I am still learning to be honest but I have begun the journey of self-awareness and how often does saying yes, lead to my own unhappiness… When you are put in a situation where you are asked to do something and not 100% sure its in your capacity at the moment – try avoiding giving an answer in the moment. If you are asked over email, do not respond to it immediately or let them know you will get back to them as soon as possible. If they call, let them know once again, you will confirm with them shortly you just need to confirm if you have the capacity for it your dairy. When we give ourselves time to think over what is asked from us, we respond logically instead of emotionally.
- Delegate Tasks
Is it truly urgent and important to you? Can you outsource the task at hand? Believe it not, you do not need to do everything! Even if you are on your own in business – because you aren’t truly alone in business. Just by delegating tasks that are not part of your mission or can be done by someone else, you are already implementing boundaries for yourself.
- Set Clear Expectations
Not only for your clients or team members but mostly for yourself. Have often do we catch ourselves lying to ourselves?… “I can add on that client.” “I have time for this meeting, I just wont take a coffee break, that’s okay.” Jesus had clear expectations of what He expected from His followers. Follow His Ways.
Boundaries are just as important in the workspace as it is in our personal lives. Having boundaries does not mean you are going against your faiths values or doing less work for Him. It means you respect yourself enough, being Gods creation, to maintain a healthy, harmonised, and successful business.
