It’s a simple fact that things go wrong in business. Clients fail to pay or deliver information on time, misunderstandings arise between colleagues or collaborators, disputes and arguments blow up out of proportion…

That’s why boundaries are so important!

One of the most important steps to take when when things have gone pear-shaped… when a problem arises, you feel that someone has taken advantage of you, or things just don’t feel right… is to give some conscious thought to your own boundaries.

How do you go about doing this? Where do you start?

First, sit down quietly in a place where you won’t be disturbed and really map out all the things you don’t like about this experience – a mind map would be a good way to do this, or a list, journalling – whatever works best for you.

Then go through and really imagine into what the process would have looked like if everything went perfectly.

Map that out and identify what boundaries you need to have in place at each step of the ideal process to lessen the likelihood of the things you did not like happening again.

This might involve everything from role playing communication scenarios (have a friend pretend to be a rude client, and practice how you will respond to her)… to working on your money blocks and limiting beliefs (because those damn things can sabotage us with the best of clients, let alone the worst)… to practical considerations like specifying only one free giveaway voucher per customer… to strengthening your legal boundaries in your terms and conditions and client agreements.

Imagine how things could go right!

Even just writing out the ideal process from a client or collaborator first making contact with you to waving goodbye to a happy client or finalised project can give you so much clarity around what you want from the process – both for you and for the person to whom you are working with for your mutual benefit.

This can also help you understand where your boundaries need to be rigid and where you are prepared to be flexible, so that you feel like you are making honest choices rather than being forced into situations that you don’t like.

How I can help

If you are finding it difficult to identify where your boundaries are letting you down, consider joining The Serenity Connective, my mastermind membership, so I can support you in strengthening the protective structure of your business.