Setting boundaries in business as a solo-prenuer can often be frustrating. Each client or vendor can present a unique set of circumstances and challenges. Left un-checked our boundaries can start to crumble leaving us bitter, frustrated, and burnt out. Here are a few ways to not only set boundaries but to also redefine them when you have let them lapse for to long.
What are Your Boundaries
To begin with you must define what you will and won’t allow in your business. If you have never done this before it may take a little bit of time.
- What are some past situations that have annoyed you?
- What leaves you feeling frustrated or taken advantage of?
- What do you hate to do?
These questions are a start to help you determine what your left and right limits are but to put it in the words of Fallon Carter from Engage Summits, “If it isn’t a hell yes, then it’s a hell no.”
Take the answers from the questions above and formulate a list of do’s and don’ts
Ask for What You Want
If you are currently feeling frustrated with the way your business is going and you want to start implementing the boundaries that you have now listed, you need then ask for it. Often, we avoid asking for what we want because we don’t want to rock the boat with our clients or appear bossy and demanding. If you are struggling with how to ask, then I highly recommend reading Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter.
Good Boundaries
Good boundaries in business look like an entrepreneur that is excited to come to work in the morning and employees that feel happy knowing what they can expect. Here are some examples of boundaries my team has set in place to protect our time and energy as photographers.
- Clients email us unless it is an emergency
- We respond to emails within 24-48 hours
- We honor our contracts, and we expect our clients and vendor partners to as well
- We have a process so that nothing is missed and the experience is good
So you may be asking with this list of business boundaries, what happens if something off the wall happens? That’s where the process part kicks in. Part of our process is that we reassess the process. If it isn’t working or something new and odd pops up, we can fix it and move forward prepared for the next time.
