Boundaries Empower Health & Rest

I like to think of vocation as an opportunity to honor God. I happen to work in corporate settings, it’s very much unlike ministry settings - but in a lot of ways it is also very much similar. I still work with people. I consult people in leadership doing work, navigating people-issues, and trying to do all the things well. I also work in a setting with endless amounts of work coming in, where I have to determine every day at what point will I end the day and let the remainder wait until I return from rest. These are common challenges to navigate regardless of if one’s vocation is ministry, non-profit, or another field.

Choosing to be excellent in what we do is a good thing. It’s part of how I see vocation as our ability to honor God, and I’m fueled by my work-life verse Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” [NLT] However, I also recognize the necessity of having margin and making space for rest.

As someone who wants to be excellent in all I do, I’ve learned to establish boundaries so I can unplug and rest well, too. In today’s world, it can be challenging to define boundaries.

I work from home often, use digital applications that allow me to be connected anywhere anytime, and my customers have my cell phone number. When I’m off, I have to choose to unplug from these connections and give myself grace and space to be present in my personal life and nurture my relationships.

I have to prioritize rest and create space to recharge, breathe, and just be.

I’m paid to do my job in the estimated time my employer and I have agreed upon, but I am not a machine; and frankly - even machines will break down without proper care. As a salaried employee, it’s my responsibility to navigate my work and time “on” well. I’ve done the work to learn expectations; my boss doesn’t expect me to be always-on, nor do my customers. We’ve agreed upon how to connect when it’s an emergency. We recognize when a non-urgent message comes in - it doesn’t mean an immediate answer is expected. I’ve communicated purposefully to establish clear expectations and to set myself up for success in being off when I’m off.

It’s important to recognize, no one should care more about your wellbeing than you. Work will always take more out of you than you can truly give if you allow the boundary to be blurred. Your work actually benefits when you have healthy boundaries; scientific research confirms you can be most optimal when you are well-rested and healthy.

I’ve coached many people over the years, including myself. I’ve found that sometimes we need to check-in with ourselves to determine if our overload and tiredness is self-imposed. And if we’re honest and we see opportunity for improvement, then we should ask ourselves how can we make progress toward a more healthy state?

If this is a hard space for you, please seek support for growth and accountability. Coaches, mentors, leaders, respected colleagues or friends are all great options for support. Seek to connect with someone healthily boundaried who can give you good guidance, tools, and provide accountability.

Progress can be achieved, and your career won’t suffer from your boundaries if you navigate them well.

I’ll close with this: I hope you’ll remember you are more than what you do. And you are worthy of rest; you need it like you need nourishment.

Choose to care well for you. Establish healthy boundaries, make space to rest and just be. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you.

Your work will benefit, too.