Boundary Setting: How Much Is Too Much?
Ashley Martinez

Mornings are challenging; it gets even more complicated when you start panicking
because school started thirty minutes ago, and you're just waking up! Now you're late, your
parents will get mad at you, and you'll get detention and- wait, didn't you graduate a couple of
years ago? That, my friend, was a stressful dream and might even be a reoccurring one. How
often have you woken up in a cold sweat because you thought you were late to class, or someone
was yelling at you? I know, personally speaking, I've had one too many dreams about unstapled
papers! 
Seriously talking, this isn't the most fantastic experience to have, even if it is a common one.
Educational and workplace stress can result in emotional deficiencies such as depression or
unhealthy habits if left unaddressed. And one crucial way to address these issues is by nipping
them in the bud with boundary-setting, one of the less talked about but more vital soft skills.
When I say boundary-setting, I don't mean locking yourself in the closet and rocking in the
corner whenever someone makes eye contact. There's got to be some moderation! Instead, try
advocating for yourself by separating your personal life from your educational or workplace
career.
For one, set a schedule for yourself and follow it! If you work within a set amount of
hours, don't bring that work home, mentally or physically. This not only encourages organization
and practical work ethic, but it'll also boost your morale as a student and/or employee. Staying
motivated is challenging when work consumes every aspect of your life. Being successful
doesn't have to mean sacrificing every other part of yourself. Remember, you're here because of
who you are as a person just as much as a student or worker! If you find yourself dragging, take
a break, do something for yourself, and most importantly, don't think about school or work! Turn
off your phone entirely if necessary and take the time to recuperate.
The next thing to remember is knowing when you have enough to do. I know it's difficult
to admit when you're overwhelmed, especially as a leader. Taking the initiative to be here,
taking courses, and reading articles like this at the Success Training Institute indicates your
resolve as a leader! However, a part of being a leader is having the emotional intelligence to be
aware of your limitations and needs. Remember, your actions not only affect you, but it also
affects the people who look to you for guidance. If you witnessed your mentor repeatedly

neglecting their health, you might start associating unhealthy habits with success. It is all of our
responsibility to combat unhealthy work dynamics and promote a culture of care and support.
Taking on additional duties may also result in a job that could have been done more efficiently
by someone else who needs the experience. 
Remember, being aware of your limitations may be challenging, but it is vital in
ensuring an effective workplace and experience. Sometimes the most significant improvement
comes from taking a step back. This can be done through schedules, advocation, duty allocation,
or anything else. Setting boundaries doesn't make you an ineffective worker; it makes you self-
aware, so take a break and return better than before!
Are you looking to learn more strategies to learn how to set boundaries? Check out
SimplySuccess.com to earn your first certification today in courses like Proactive Thinking,
Workplace Productivity, and so much more!