Let the guilt go.
Does the thought of creating boundaries make you feel some sort of way?
Do you feel selfish, self-centered, demanding when you set limits?
Most of us focus on boundaries that protect our loved ones but not us. Why is that? Why do we so easily put others before our own needs?
I recently read the book On Writing by Stephen King. I learned a lot about writing, but I really learned how to set boundaries. He writes every single day. He locks his office door when he is working. He goes on a walk every single day. He goes on vacation. He has been happily married to his wife for decades. He didn’t talk about all the meals he cooks, the household chores, or the carpool. He prioritized his work, health, and happiness. I know he is rich, but we need to look at how the rich live so that we can emulate it if we want the same outcome.
Not setting boundaries in your life can negatively affect not only you but also those around you. You may be exhausted and irritable from doing too much. You may not be reaching the level of income you desire because of the lack of time you dedicate to your work. Your home may not be your sanctuary because of the constant work required to maintain it or the lack of time spent filling it with things you love.
Have you taken time to think about what makes you happy?
How often are you doing these things? You don’t have to do what makes you happy daily but make time for these things on a consistent basis. I like to cook, but if I cook every day I get tired of it. If I do it 2-3x a week and have my family help cook on other days, it remains an enjoyable task.
Write down what makes you happy and plan for doing those things. What system do you think will work for you?
Here are steps on how to create boundaries to be happy, healthy, and wealthy
Identify what it is that makes you happy
Spending time with friends, getting massages, writing, exercising, volunteering, reading, etc…
How often do you want to do something that makes you happy? Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly
Put your happy events on your family calendar; don’t let anything come in the way of your happy time
Delegate Chores
Make a list of all the chores that need to get done in the home
Have a monthly family meeting to delegate chores
Let your family pick what they want to do so that they can be invested
Outsource: What do you despise doing around your home? Hire someone to help with those chores, which will give you more time to focus on wealth building.
Get a cleaning service
Purchase a meal delivery service
Hire a gardener
Order groceries online
Send your laundry to get down outside of the home
You Deserve Privacy
If you work from home, get a sign for your door that lets your family know when you’re working or want to read your book in peace
Lock the door
Create Family Rules
These rules should be so that you can uphold your boundaries i.e. No coming into parent’s room after 9 pm unless it is an emergency, all daily chores must be done before 7 pm, everyone has to feed themselves on Fridays, etc.…
________________
All good things take time and effort to implement. Is it worth it to spend time creating systems at home that will give you more time to do the things that make you happy, healthy and wealthy? I believe so.
Leave a Reply