Life coaching strategies are something that we can all use in our life – especially when it’s about setting boundaries to balance our hectic life.
Do you have colleagues or loved ones that use a lot of your time talking and talking while you are in the middle of something important? If so, this article will give you some ideas on how to take charge of this stressful situation.
Do you have a tough time saying, “no” to others who ask you to volunteer since you are the “right person” to help them with a project? If so, you will find out how easy it is to say, “no” without sounding aggressive.
Enjoy the life coaching strategies article and please let me know your boundary issues at work and home. I will ask you to share these with me at the end of the article.
Life Coaching Strategies #1: Learn the Power of Boundaries
You’re invited to be on the PTA! You’re such a great baker; “We need your help with the bake sale!”
A co-worker needs your help with a work project! You have no time and you don’t want to disappoint people who have such high regard for you.
It feels good when people ask us to do things we’re good at. Our egos are stroked. We like it when other people can count on us. We also need to stop ourselves when people ask us to help them when our lives are out of whack! Stop and remind yourself that it’s ok to take care of you or your family and not save the world 24 hours a day.
Life Coaching Strategies #2: Remember Boundaries from Your Past
We had boundaries as kids such as – “Come home when the streetlights come on. No TV until your homework is completed.”
Too often, though, we don’t set them for ourselves as adults.
Think about recent commitments and make a list of duties you wish you had said, “no” to. This can help you prepare a response for the next time. Firmly enforce your boundaries. If you set boundaries and people still take advantage, it’s your fault for not taking care of your own time restrictions.
Remember, “You get what you tolerate.”
Life Coaching Strategies #3: The Power of Family Boundaries
Shannon, a busy working mother, wanted to return to school to earn her degree. She knew the extra hours would 
affect her family, so she called a family meeting. She explained it was a two-year commitment. Her kids would need to make their own lunches and life might be a little more stressful for a while.
The payoff was a better job for Shannon, allowing the family to have money for the vacation they wanted, or for her kids to attend college. They agreed to her plan. To this day, when they complain, she reminds them about the family meeting. This worked out for Shannon because she was focused and spoke about short-term stresses for her and the family.
Life Coaching Strategies #4: The Power of Work Boundaries
Do you have a co-worker who stops by your desk, seeking help for her or his projects and leaving you with less time for your own? Use ‘I’ language to deflect them. For example, “I’m frustrated because I’d love to help you out. I have a deadline on this project.” Or set a time limit: “I can give you five minutes because I need to leave at 3:00 for my daughter’s soccer game.”
Life Coaching Strategies #5: Friendship Boundaries
What about that friend whose number on your caller ID makes you 
groan? These energy vampires are talkaholics, and it’s all about them and what they need. You don’t have to pick up the phone. Or you can say up front, “I’m tied up this week; I’ll be glad to call you back or email you.”
Let’s Get Real
We encounter demands for our time and energy from many directions. When those demands become too much, the continual stress can lead to an array of health problems. Create and enforce boundaries to help manage your stress levels, and you will feel better about the commitments you make.
It can mean a longer, healthier, happier life.
I want to hear from you
Send me what boundaries you set for yourself at home or work. What boundary issues do you need to control? You know I answer all comments and questions.
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Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts. Help us help them reduce conflict and quality of life.
Until next time,
Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach
Until next time, Remember…”You Get What You Tolerate!”
PS Learn how I can leverage my 30+ years of communication and coaching experience to help you or your organization address life coaching strategies here.
Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Life Coaching Strategies Knowledge Base
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