Why setting boundaries could be your business superpower
I was talking to Ryan from BrainSpace yesterday about boundaries and the impact they can have on both an organisation and an individual. It’s something I like to talk about a lot if you haven't noticed.
At one point in the conversation, I just blurted out: 'Boundaries are the key to everything, Ryan!'
And honestly, I stand by it.
Why boundaries matter
Boundaries help us challenge the status quo. They force us to define what’s truly important and business critical — especially once we realise we don’t have the capacity to do everything.
Instead of saying yes to every project, meeting, or request, boundaries make us sharper. They help us ask:
'Is this really contributing to the bottom line?'
'Is this moving us closer to our strategic goals?'
It might feel bold to say 'That isn’t a priority right now' — but it’s not bold, it’s just a fact. Not everything can be a priority. If everything is equally important, then nothing really is.
Busyness ≠ Productivity
For too long, we’ve confused 'busier' with 'better.' It’s become the default: accept all the meetings, juggle all the projects, fill every available minute.
But more doesn’t equal better. Boundaries flip the script, shifting focus from quantity to quality, from doing everything to doing the right things.
A kitchen analogy 🍲
Think about cooking. You don’t throw everything into the pan. You peel the carrots, discard the onion skin, remove what doesn’t serve the dish.
Why? Because you want the end result to taste the best it possibly can.
Your workday is no different. If you try to put everything into the pan (your calendar, your to-do list), the result is overwhelming and unproductive.
Instead, boundaries allow you to focus on the ingredients that really matter.
Where do you start?
Once you realise that boundaries could be your business superpower, the next question is: “Okay, but where the hell do I start?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered
If you’re an individual:
Start small. Choose one area where you’re overextended (meetings, emails, after-hours work).
Use simple boundary scripts to practice saying no or renegotiating expectations. You can get 10 here to use today.
Notice the difference it makes in your energy and focus.
If you’re a business:
Encourage your teams to question priorities.
Model boundary-setting at leadership level.
Create a culture where saying 'this can wait' is respected, not punished.
Check out the partnership packages I've got available that can help.
The bottom line
Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re strategic. They make you sharper, more focused, and more effective — both as an individual and as a business.
So maybe the question isn’t “Can I set boundaries at work?”
Maybe it’s: “How much better could things get if I did?”
