What you need to know to harness the power of boundaries and reach your goals

Hello and welcome back to the Rock Your Purpose podcast! On this episode, we’re diving into the surprising connection between boundaries and goal achievement.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Fresh Start Goal Planner: This FREE guide walks you through the steps to creating soul-aligned goals at ANY time of the year! Grab your copy FREE at emilyperry.com/planner.

Did you know you can listen to our show with thousands of other podcasts inside Audible? Use our link to grab your FREE 30-Day trial, which includes 1 credit – or 2 credits for Prime members – good for any premium selection titles you like that are yours to keep, and the Audible Plus Catalog of podcasts, audiobooks, guided wellness, and Audible Originals. Listen all you want, no credits needed. Right now I am listening to Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday, and these Mel Robbins shows – you’ll definitely want to check them out. Get started NOW at www.audibletrial.com/rockyourpurpose to start your free trial.

As a mindset coach and entrepreneur, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial boundaries are in reaching our biggest goals. But you may be wondering… what exactly are boundaries? And how do they play a role in our success?

So, let’s start with the basics. Boundaries are guidelines we set for ourselves and others in order to protect our time, energy, and overall well-being. They can be physical, emotional, mental or even energetic. And while they may seem restrictive at first, they actually create space for us to thrive .

Think about it: when we don’t have clear boundaries, we tend to overcommit, say yes to everything, and prioritize others’ needs over our own. This leads to burnout, resentment, and a lack of progress toward our goals. But when we set boundaries, we give ourselves permission to say no, prioritize our own needs, and focus on what truly matters.

So how are they actually connected? And how can boundaries help us achieve our goals specifically?Here are a few ways:

Boundaries create space for creativity and inspiration.

Have you ever tried to brainstorm ideas or work on a project when you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? It’s nearly impossible. But when we set boundaries around our time and energy, we free up mental space for creativity and inspiration to flow. This is essential for reaching our goals, as it allows us to come up with innovative solutions and stay motivated.

For example, if you’re a writer who wants to finish a book (ahem… I might just be talking to myself here), you may set a boundary around your work hours to ensure you have enough time and energy to write each day. Or, if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to launch a new product, you may set a boundary around your social media use to prevent distractions and free up mental space for strategizing.

Boundaries help us stay focused on what matters.

Have you ever found yourself getting sidetracked by other people’s priorities or demands? It’s easy to do, especially if we don’t have clear boundaries in place. But when we set boundaries, we’re able to stay focused on what truly matters to us and our goals.

For example, if you’re a student who wants to get straight A’s, you may set a boundary around your study time to ensure you’re not getting distracted by social events or other obligations. Or, if you’re an artist who wants to finish a painting, you may set a boundary around your studio time to ensure you’re not getting pulled away by other projects or commitments. Get fierce around these boundaries and you’ll see your ability to focus skyrocket.

Boundaries help us avoid burnout and stay motivated.

As I mentioned earlier, when we don’t have clear boundaries, we’re more likely to experience burnout and resentment. Whenever I have a coaching client that is struggling with burnout, the first place we look is to the boundaires they have in place in their lives (or lack of them).

Because the truth is, when we set boundaries around our time, energy, and overall well-being, we’re able to avoid burnout and stay motivated in pursuit of our goals.

Ok, so we’ve talked about how important boundaries are in achieving our goals – so let’s talk about how to set them effectively.

Identify your priorities and values.

In order to set boundaries that truly serve you and your goals, it’s important to first identify what’s most important to you. What are your top priorities right now in your life? What values do you hold dear? When you have a clear sense of what’s important, it becomes easier to set boundaries that align with them.

Get clear on what you need.

Once you’ve identified your priorities and values, it’s important to get clear on what you need in order to honor them. Do you need more alone time? More support from loved ones? More structured work hours? Whatever it is, be honest with yourself about what you need in order to stay aligned with your goals.

Whenever I’ve set a goal and I find myself losing site of it – or not prioritizing it – the first thing I do is come back to this step, and I ask myself, “What do I really need to succeed here and accomplish this goal?”

Communicate your boundaries.

Setting boundaries is one thing, but communicating them is another. It’s important to let others know what your boundaries are and why they’re important to you. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential in order to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that others respect your boundaries.

Be flexible.

While boundaries are important, it’s also important to be flexible and open to adjusting them as needed. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes our needs and priorities shift. Being willing to adapt our boundaries can help us stay aligned with our goals even as things change.

Practice self-care.

And finally, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care when setting boundaries. This means taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental health and our energetic selves so that we have the energy and motivation to pursue our goals. Self-care can look different for everyone, but it might include things like exercise, meditation, therapy, quiet time, or simply taking time to relax and recharge.

In essence, boundaries help us achieve our goals and connect us to our values and our purpose. By setting clear guidelines for ourselves and others, we create space for creativity, stay focused on what matters, and avoid burnout and resentment.

If you’re struggling to make progress toward your goals, I encourage you to take a closer look at your boundaries and see where you might be able to make some adjustments. You might be surprised at the difference it makes!

And until next time, take care, be well, and keep rocking your purpose!!!