Structure + Boundaries = Freedom

Article Title: Structure + Boundaries = Freedom
Author Name: Joanne Victoria
Contact E-mail Address: joanne@joannevictoria.com
Word Count: 630, including signature box
Category: Personal Development
Copyright Date: 2002-2004
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Publishing Guidelines: Thank you for publishing this article in its
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STRUCTURE + BOUNDARIES = FREEDOM

Workplace boundaries will prevent you from reacting to others'
interference and getting angry at their disturbances.

No matter what size your business is, you need to set boundaries
and provide structure to your workday. You determine your
schedule, not your clients or vendors. If you decide your day
starts at 9:30 AM, then don't answer the phone or turn on the
computer until then.

Start the day with a good breakfast. Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day. Break-the-fast like a king or
queen. Don't forget the protein. Take frequent breaks during
the day to give your brain cells a rest. Schedule in exercise
for the body as well as relaxation for the brain.

Leave your office for lunch at least 3 workdays per week. It's
much too easy to work through lunch, eat at your desk and
ignore your personal needs.

Don't forget those evening meetings, whether networking or
classes. Allow time to leave work, home office or a job,
revitalize yourself, and be ready for these events.

If you work with others, learn to close your door or put a
"Do Not Disturb" sign on your cubicle. It's difficult to
concentrate when constantly interrupted. If you allow full
access to co-workers, clients or vendors, you may wind up
being angry or over-reactive to minor infractions.

The telephone works three ways: you can pick it up, hang it up
or not touch it at all. Have voice mail or an answering
service. Listening to incoming calls on an answering machine
will only prove a distraction. Should I or shouldn't I answer
that? OK, I'll pick it up. It's never as important as you think.

If you are working on a project, give it one hour of effort at a
time. Check messages and decide the importance and urgency
of these calls. Then decide if you need more protein. Athletes
are not the only people who require constant nourishment.
Using your brain is exhausting, but has never been given
enough credibility.

Don't get 'stuck' on-line. If part of your marketing is focused
on the Web with e-mail newsletters or similar marketing tools,
hire someone to do the updates for you. If you value your time
and have set a dollar figure for Web-update time, you can see
the wisdom in having a less expensive individual perform this
function. Use an employee, student, independent contractor or
virtual assistant.

It's too easy to sit in front of the computer and get lost
when that time could be better spent writing or going
for a walk. Take care of yourself, first!

Mornings are best for detail work. The mind is refreshed and
capable of high functioning. It's best to return phone calls
in the afternoon, especially if they are non-urgent. Critical
thinking is best done in the morning. Delegate all your
non-essential tasks. The more structure you have in your work,
the more freedom you have.

As a last item, learn to say no. Say no to anything that does
not fit into your annual plan and your goals. The purpose of
creating your plan is to determine what you really want to do.
If a request comes for a volunteer or paid situation that does
not fit into your plan, just say no.

Saying 'no' is difficult for many people, especially if they are
just discovering their boundaries.

Remember - always take care of yourself first!

Copyright 2002, Joanne Victoria, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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Joanne Victoria works with entrepreneurs and independent
professionals who want to simplify their lives in order
to create more business, more money and more time.
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Joanne Victoria is a Business and Life Coach and
author of 'Lighting Your Path! How To Create the
Life You Want'. She helps small business owners be
more successful by being true to who they really are.
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Sign up now for her FREE monthly e-zine
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at: mailto:JoanneVictoria-subscribe@topica.com
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Tel:415-491-1344 Fax: 415-485-9295
mailto:joanne@joannevictoria.com
Author of : Lighting Your Path!
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http://www.joannevictoria.com
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Contact Joanne about her new book:
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How To Create the Business You Want
as well as her business teleclasses.