That time I turned myself into a post-it note to set a boundary.

I bought this jumper when I was Head of Talent at a tech company, responsible for hiring hundreds of people every year. It was a high-pressure, always-on role with constant messages, meetings, and notifications - on top of a high workload.

I found myself wearing this jumper on weekends and days off, as if I was sending a psychological message to myself: I’m off work, it’s okay not to log in and just check a few emails. 

Making yourself your own personal post-it note is one way of setting a boundary I guess!

This got me thinking about work-life balance, or whatever term you prefer - balance, integration, alignment, blend. How many of us are truly satisfied with ours?

Work-life balance comes up frequently with my clients, particularly in the Tech world, and for good reason. While there may be no such thing as a perfect balance, there is such a thing as neglecting your needs, which can lead to stress and burnout.

How many of us have skipped lunch to tackle an urgent task? Or squeezed in a meeting when we were supposed to be exercising because our calendars were packed? Maybe you’ve worked late or logged on after the kids' bedtime to finish something up.

Generally, some of these things are fine on their own. Many of us thrive under a bit of pressure. But if it’s becoming a habit that’s impacting other areas - like your health - it might be time to reassess and set stronger boundaries.

After all, when you say yes to one thing, what are you saying no to?

While I still love my jumper (and wear it from time to time), I’ve since found healthier ways to set boundaries!

If you’re struggling to find a balance that works for you, coaching can help. Let’s talk if you’re ready to reclaim your work-life balance!