I was thrilled to record an Instagram live with Mamamade founder Sophie Meislin Baron, where we discussed setting boundaries with family, work and tech – a topic that any of you who follow me on my own Instagram account will know I am passionate about.
We had a great response from followers, so I created an article on the subject for Mamamadefood.com: I thought I’d share an extract here, too.
Seven Tips for Setting Boundaries
1. Communicate boundaries clearly and concisely: for example that you can’t respond to emails out of hours, and that if there is something urgent, you would prefer a phone call.
2. Improve your own worth: when someone oversteps the mark, gently and calmly let them know. Stay strong and have confidence in your own boundaries; respect your own needs, time and energy.
3. Make your schedule clear – you may have previously worked late consistently and that is no longer possible, let your employer know and map out when you will be available. If you work flexibly, be sure to tell others your working hours – you can always add an email signature that outlines when you will be available to respond to messages (and also to communicate to others that there’s no expectation of response if you often work out of typical hours).
4. Once you set boundaries, you need to stick to them – be consistent. This is important.
5. Set boundaries with yourself and technology – if you check emails before bed, give yourself a strict cut-off time and put your laptop away in a cupboard. You could try deleting your email app from your phone over weekends, so you don’t check emails – unless you know you’re expecting something urgent. If you struggle with disconnecting from technology, think about how you’d feel if technology wasn’t imposing on your life – would you be relaxed or wound up? Would you be more present with your family?
6. Manage your time and energy: rather than using your most precious commodity (time) on things that don’t fulfill you, simply say ‘no thanks’. Spend time on things that restore and revitalise you. Many working Mums I meet are stretched so thin and aren’t doing things they enjoy or are passionate about.
7. If you struggle with people-pleasing, and saying yes to things you wish you hadn’t, slow down in the moment – rather saying yes or no straight away, say ‘let me go away and think about it and come back to you’. Give yourself the space to make the right decision for you.
Read More: Boundaries, Burnout and What You Can Do
Follow me on Instagram for more tips and advice every day
There are many things you can do as a Manager supporting your team member/s to return to work after maternity leave. Here are some ones to get you started and reflect the conversations I’ve had with clients on they wish they had been supported, or what they didn’t know like how to organise KiT days…
Right now I’m working with a company to coach all of their returners and at the end of next year, I will have supported 10 of their women to return. If you’re a HR Manager or you’d like to find out more then send me a DM.
I’d also love to hear, if you’re a Manager, what things do you do to support women back into work, or what do you wish your Manager had done…? Let’s chat in the comments ⬇️
Olivia x
There are many things you can do as a Manager supporting your team member/s to return to work after maternity leave. Here are some ones to get you started and reflect the conversations I’ve had with clients on they wish they had been supported, or what they didn’t know like how to organise KiT days…
Right now I’m working with a company to coach all of their returners and at the end of next year, I will have supported 10 of their women to return. If you’re a HR Manager or you’d like to find out more then send me a DM.
I’d also love to hear, if you’re a Manager, what things do you do to support women back into work, or what do you wish your Manager had done…? Let’s chat in the comments ⬇️
Olivia x
What would you like your HR team to focus on in 2024 so that your company is a better place to work…? Sharing my views, and I’d love to hear yours too ⬇️
What would you like your HR team to focus on in 2024 so that your company is a better place to work…? Sharing my views, and I’d love to hear yours too ⬇️
Organisations are working hard to create more leadership diversity and implement better flexible work policies, yet, we are still a long way from every person, including women, no matter what stage they are at in their career being offered these opportunities. Nearly half of working adults have caring responsibilities outside of work with the majority falling to women*. And so we are calling out for organisations that truly offer flexible work – all too often I hear of organisations championing their policies but the employee experience does not reflect this policy or sentiment.
This week I’ve had three separate conversations with clients about flexible working and the same challenges keep coming up – scroll through carousel to read these.
I was however delighted to read this FT article with one of the women I’ve worked with (to help her regain her confidence at work) Megan Gray who has continued to advocate for alternative work models, especially for working mothers since having her daughter Lily and having her request to do set hours (eg 9am-5pm) was declined by a major law firm to meet her caring responsibilities.
Helping women to negotiate flexible working and supporting organisations to better understand how they can create policies that truly support the diversity of workforces is my jam.
To discuss the ways that I can help you including paid-for services: my business case template letter to your Manager and 1:1 session on managing objections that could come up so that your request is accepted, complete the form which is in the link in bio.
For enquiries about my corporate services, you can email me at oliviabath@thewomensvault.com or complete the form in the link in my bio.
Olivia
* Source – Ipsos Report 2021: 44% per cent of working adults, have caring responsibilities and women found they do more even when they are the joint carer.
Organisations are working hard to create more leadership diversity and implement better flexible work policies, yet, we are still a long way from every person, including women, no matter what stage they are at in their career being offered these opportunities. Nearly half of working adults have caring responsibilities outside of work with the majority falling to women*. And so we are calling out for organisations that truly offer flexible work – all too often I hear of organisations championing their policies but the employee experience does not reflect this policy or sentiment.
This week I’ve had three separate conversations with clients about flexible working and the same challenges keep coming up – scroll through carousel to read these.
I was however delighted to read this FT article with one of the women I’ve worked with (to help her regain her confidence at work) Megan Gray who has continued to advocate for alternative work models, especially for working mothers since having her daughter Lily and having her request to do set hours (eg 9am-5pm) was declined by a major law firm to meet her caring responsibilities.
Helping women to negotiate flexible working and supporting organisations to better understand how they can create policies that truly support the diversity of workforces is my jam.
To discuss the ways that I can help you including paid-for services: my business case template letter to your Manager and 1:1 session on managing objections that could come up so that your request is accepted, complete the form which is in the link in bio.
For enquiries about my corporate services, you can email me at oliviabath@thewomensvault.com or complete the form in the link in my bio.
Olivia
* Source – Ipsos Report 2021: 44% per cent of working adults, have caring responsibilities and women found they do more even when they are the joint carer.
Anyone else had a day like I did last week? 👋
You’re rushing around, ready to deliver an important presentation to a bunch of Executives and you have Spag Bol for lunch…and you’re wearing white. I know the world feels a bit heavy right now and there’s a lot going on…This was a very normal moment in my week last week and I hope it resonates with you. Olivia x
Anyone else had a day like I did last week? 👋
You’re rushing around, ready to deliver an important presentation to a bunch of Executives and you have Spag Bol for lunch…and you’re wearing white. I know the world feels a bit heavy right now and there’s a lot going on…This was a very normal moment in my week last week and I hope it resonates with you. Olivia x
I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting on what I love to do, how to make a difference and have the greatest impact…
Here’s some of the ways I do that. I’ve got a some capacity in 2024 and was last night booked for a big project for Jan and Feb 2024 which I’m so excited about!
Please send me a DM or email if you’d like to organise a time to chat about how I can help you or your business.
Olivia x
I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting on what I love to do, how to make a difference and have the greatest impact…
Here’s some of the ways I do that. I’ve got a some capacity in 2024 and was last night booked for a big project for Jan and Feb 2024 which I’m so excited about!
Please send me a DM or email if you’d like to organise a time to chat about how I can help you or your business.
Olivia x
I recently did a speech on Imposter Syndrome to a company and I was struck by how many women and men shared the situations where they don’t feel confident. When they didn’t believe in themselves.
So my message for your today is…you are stronger and more capable than you dare yourself to believe. So keep going! Keep trying! Don’t give up. I believe in you.
I’m taking bookings for 2024 for coaching and my Imposter Syndrome talks and Manager workshop. To find out more, DM me.
Olivia x
I recently did a speech on Imposter Syndrome to a company and I was struck by how many women and men shared the situations where they don’t feel confident. When they didn’t believe in themselves.
So my message for your today is…you are stronger and more capable than you dare yourself to believe. So keep going! Keep trying! Don’t give up. I believe in you.
I’m taking bookings for 2024 for coaching and my Imposter Syndrome talks and Manager workshop. To find out more, DM me.
Olivia x
Happy 5th Birthday to my darling boy who made me a Mummy. I couldn’t have imagined how much fun (or exhausting) it would be 💕
Happy 5th Birthday to my darling boy who made me a Mummy. I couldn’t have imagined how much fun (or exhausting) it would be 💕
Are any nodding at any of these?
If you are being overlooked at work, very likely you need to work on boosting your own visibility.
Never fear of coming across arrogant or too big for your boots. Learn to articulate your strengths and share the work you do. Loudly.
The Working Mum`s toolkit is full of confidence boosting, imposter busting, boundary setting tools – and it`s only £37. Download your kit today.
Olivia
#workfromhomemum #workfromhomeonline #workfromwhereever #PersonalBrandingTips #PersonalBrandingExpert #PersonalBranding101 #LifeOfAWorkingMum #MumInBusiness #WorkingMumLife #UKMums #MumsBossUK #HerBusiness #MotherhoodGoals #UKMumSquad #MoreThanAMum
Are any nodding at any of these?
If you are being overlooked at work, very likely you need to work on boosting your own visibility.
Never fear of coming across arrogant or too big for your boots. Learn to articulate your strengths and share the work you do. Loudly.
The Working Mum`s toolkit is full of confidence boosting, imposter busting, boundary setting tools – and it`s only £37. Download your kit today.
Olivia
#workfromhomemum #workfromhomeonline #workfromwhereever #PersonalBrandingTips #PersonalBrandingExpert #PersonalBranding101 #LifeOfAWorkingMum #MumInBusiness #WorkingMumLife #UKMums #MumsBossUK #HerBusiness #MotherhoodGoals #UKMumSquad #MoreThanAMum
