As the pandemic lingers, many creative entrepreneurs are still working from home and juggling personal and professional responsibilities like their lives depend on it. Throughout 2020, we navigated the uncertainties of a global pandemic by allowing ourselves (and others) time and space as we all adapted to the circumstances. Perhaps you spent more precious time with your family than usual, or maybe you learned how to “shut off” your work brain when it came time for dinner.

But, it seems as if it’s getting harder to set boundaries with ourselves and with those around us. The kids are heading back to school, offices are reopening and sending our family members back to work, and creative entrepreneurs are facing a busy season unlike any other.

It’s a lot of change, requiring us to set new boundaries to protect ourselves and our businesses. Increased client expectations means less time to dedicate to loved ones, but a busy home schedule means stepping away from your CEO role for drop-offs, practices, and pick-ups.

We have done a full 180 from a year of quiet isolation to one of busy activities. So, how can you establish new boundaries to ensure you are measuring up in both realms of your life?

Get crystal clear on your priorities.

When it feels like your life is on fire in a hundred different places, it can be paralyzing to choose what to address first. While our big-picture life priorities are constantly in flux, I find it easier to consider your priorities on a daily basis. Yes, family may be your top life priority — but that’s not to say attending a kid’s soccer practice should supersede meeting a looming client deadline. 

When you focus on daily priorities, you can spend your attention where it matters most in that moment. Sit down each morning and consider what would make your day a success: Getting your business’ systems organized? Making a new sale? Finding time to make a healthy dinner for your family? It’s OK if you have more than one thing on the list, but select the one that would most make a difference in your wellbeing. Plan everything around that priority, including your runners-up as they fit into your schedule.

Have a heart-to-heart with family and friends.

Setting boundaries comes with the hard reality of saying “no” to certain things you’d otherwise like to do. Perhaps laundry will have to wait until another day or maybe you can’t afford to step away from your business for a weekend getaway. As entrepreneurs, we get this at the very core of our being! Our businesses are everything. 

Yet those who don’t know what it’s like to balance business and pleasure don’t always see eye to eye. They might be hurt that you have to choose work over personal time with them, but that’s simply because they don’t understand. Don’t wait until the last minute to tell them “no.” Instead, set expectations ahead of time.

Sit down with your loved ones and explain what you do and how you balance it. Be open and honest about the responsibilities on your plate and what it takes for you to succeed in your business. Oftentimes, those around us take our boundaries personally simply because they don’t fully understand the passion for our businesses. 

Make it clear that your “no” is never about them, but rather your need to find balance in your life. Once you lay it all out, they might even be impressed how often you do show up for them, even with everything on your plate!

Hold yourself accountable.

This is where it gets tricky: You have to set boundaries with yourself, too. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemies so it’s important to be proactive about preventing yourself from stepping out of line. Self-boundaries work both ways in your work/life balance. 

On one hand, you have to hold yourself accountable to get the work done. No more scrolling endlessly through Instagram or flipping on your favorite Netflix show during the day – you have deadlines to meet! Save the indulgences for your downtime and be productive.

But, on the other hand, you also have to set personal boundaries to keep your work from consuming your life. Setting specific “no meeting” days, shutting down at 6 p.m., or committing to no-screen Saturdays are all powerful ways to nurture your personal time without letting work creep into it.

Give yourself grace.

Accept that you will mess up. Seriously! There will be weeks that you take one too many meetings or work late into the wee hours. There will be times you miss a deadline for a piano recital or have to skip date night to finish up a project. For all of the forethought and planning, life still happens and we are only human. We make mistakes!

Giving yourself the grace to slip up ensures that you can get right back on track without dwelling on what you may consider as a “failure.” Think of it like a diet — when you indulge in that one forbidden treat, you can either go all-in on the dessert table or you can appreciate how much you enjoyed the treat and continue on with healthy eating. Which one seems like a better way to build consistency in your routine?

When you let go of the fantasy of perfection, you can embrace all of the beauty in life – flaws and all. As long as you don’t let a slip-up turn into a downslide, there’s no reason to be ashamed of making a mistake. 

Moral of the story? Set boundaries with yourself and with others, but don’t let them cause stress and negativity when left unmet. You can always pick up where you left off.

Looking for guidance in setting boundaries and creating a fulfilling life of abundance? Jen’s a pro at saying “no” and protecting her time and space — and she’s here to help others build a life they’re proud to share. Connect with her and get ready to see your world change!

Jennifer Taylor is the principal of Jen Taylor Consulting, a consulting firm that works with creative businesses of all sizes to implement streamlined workflows and organized systems to find more time and space for business growth and personal development.