Have you hustled to build your own business only to realize that you built something that feels exactly like that 9-5 job you were dying to leave behind?
That was me, definitely me. I was always available.
I started my business for flexibility. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the autonomy.
But I thought it would happen naturally... I didn’t realize that I needed to build the flexibility I wanted… grocery store runs in the middle of the day, long walks with my dog and lots of travel.
The realization hit on powder day when I decided to ‘sneak’ in a few ski runs before my first meeting. As I was floating through powder, I had a moment of clarity. I didn’t need to sneak around… not only would nobody know I wasn’t working during normal business hours, nobody would care.
You must be intentional if you are building a business that fits into your life.
You get to decide when customers and clients can access you in real time. You get to decide when to respond to clients. You get to design your workday around how your brain actually works instead of pretending you're equally productive at all hours.
These days I spend a lot less time on skis in favor of hanging out with my tiny human. Since my priorities have shifted, so has my schedule.
This is how I manage my calendar:
Clients can meet with me before noon Monday through Thursday.
No Friday meetings.
Afternoons are for heads-down work while my tiny human naps. I knock out what has to get done that day [and yes, I have a system for that too], then move to what's next if there's time left.
Here’s how I enforce my schedule boundaries:
Clients with a signed contract in place have access to a calendar link they can use to schedule a meeting ← this keeps me from having to say no over and over when they suggest times outside of my availability.
I use the ‘schedule send’ feature in Slack and Gmail to send messages within my working hours ← this allows me to work when I choose while still reinforcing my schedule and respecting the standard working hours of my clients.
I only communicate with my clients via Slack, email and task management tools. If a client happens to get their hands on my phone number, I don’t answer the phone or respond to the text. I send them an email follow-up. If it happens a second time, I don’t respond.
I can maintain these boundaries because I've built strong relationships with my clients, communicated these boundaries clearly from the start, and consistently manage expectations around when I'm available. They respect my schedule because I've made it easy to respect and most importantly, the work I deliver is high quality.
Start Here:
Small changes can make a huge impact. Once you see success with one boundary you will be motivated to set up more structure. Start with one of these:
Stop responding to incoming communications immediately. Set up a cadence throughout the day to check emails/respond to messages.
Block off one afternoon for uninterrupted work. Put it on your calendar and don’t respond to anything that doesn’t serve the work you are doing during that time.
Setup a calendar link that allows customers/clients to schedule meetings with you. This will also nudge you to define your working hours. [A list of my favorite tools coming soon!]
The freedom you wanted when you started this business is waiting for you on the other side of the boundaries you’re about to set.
Carrie
P.S. I’ve recently opened up my 1:1 coaching practice. More formal details coming soon, but if you’d like to get a jump start, fill out this form or hit reply and tell me what you’d like to work on together.
