Do you ever feel like your work schedule is overwhelming? Do you say "yes" to any new project that comes your way? If this describes you, you are most likely feeling overwhelmed and out of control. According to research, job stress is by far the most common source of anxiety, and it has risen steadily over the last few decades. One major reason for this is that technology allows us to lead 24/7 work lives with virtually no boundaries.

A lack of boundaries in the workplace causes issues. Lack of boundaries as a big issue in many management squabbles while advising for firms. If people took responsibility for their own work and set clear limits, most of the problems would not exist.

Setting work boundaries is essential for any long and rewarding professional career. It is our responsibility as working professionals to enforce these boundaries, because no one will tell or demand us to do so. We must be our own agents of positive change.

Maintaining boundaries requires being the gatekeeper of your life in order to keep yourself safe and well. The healthiest sort of boundary is one that is appropriately and consciously open in some situations, some of the time, and closed to others at other times (Scott, 1993).Here are some strategies for establishing appropriate boundaries at work so that you may work smarter, get respect, and boost your productivity-

• Seek assistance:

Setting boundaries at work could be as simple as consulting with your employer.

• Perform an audit:

Beyond simply informing your employer, performing a boundary audit will help you understand where you need to set limitations.

• Establish boundaries:

Set restrictions once you've determined which areas require your attention.

• Express yourself clearly:

Once you've set up boundaries, you need to explain them confidently and clearly to your team. For instance, let your team members know exactly what times you will be available for work-related chats if you don't want them to always call you.

• Distribute more:

A good leader knows how to delegate. You may not be delegating work well if you are asked to complete the tasks of 50 employees and feel overburdened by your workload. Thankfully, this is a capability that can be learned. Recognise your team's abilities, trust them, and learn to let go.

• Specify your response time:

The art of pausing is a technique you can use to prevent yourself from accepting the next project. For instance, pause before responding the next time your employer asks you to take a last-minute business trip. You will get the option to check in with yourself using this technique to see whether there is a conflict. Give yourself some breathing room, if necessary, by saying, "That might work, let me just check my schedule and get back to you."

• Learn to say no:

Pick a few simple, low-risk scenarios to practise saying no. When the waitress offers you dessert, decline. When a passer-by offers to sell you anything, decline. Like this, your ability to say "no" will improve.

• Create a system:

Choose one of four approaches for each task:

• Do it.
• Delay it.
• Share it.
• Drop it.

It's crucial to address each problem only once before moving on to the next.

• Make a structure:

Create structure if you frequently find yourself lured. Setting an agenda is one method to do this. A plan of action gives you power and positions.

• Be ready for pushback:

Expect others to react adversely once you start creating appropriate limits. This indicates that the limit is required and that it is effective. It's also useful to imagine your limits being crossed and how you'll handle certain scenarios.

Employees who set boundaries are the happiest and most productive. People who set boundaries receive respect because they respect themselves. Boundaries at work can help everyone, but according to Wilding, they are especially crucial for kind-hearted employees who may be people-pleasers and put others' interests ahead of their own. If you're more sensitive, you should be more aware of your boundaries because you naturally pick up on other people's emotions.

Setting limitations might also help you keep your skills in a market where there is still a talent war. Boundaries enable you to improve your mental and emotional well-being at work, as well as your confidence and self-esteem. So, it is essential to set healthy boundaries and live a balanced life.