We continue our discussion on “loving learning” with a brief dip into a topic I have been thinking a lot about recently and see a need for many of us (myself included) to think deeply about on occasion.
Said topic?
Boundaries.
Please don’t delete yet…keep reading!
Do you think of the word boundaries often? Do you think about YOUR boundaries?
So exactly what is a boundary?
Simply put, a boundary is a structure that determines what will exist and what will not. Used in the individual sense it is your, “personal property line that marks those things for which you are responsible.” Our boundaries, coupled with our core values, define who we are, who we are not, what we say “yes” to, and what we say “no” to.
Through years of writing and researching boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud is one of the pre-eminent voices on the subject. He has authored multiple books and built successful private counseling and corporate consulting companies that help others define and implement their boundaries.
He presents the case that boundaries are the reason some leaders get results while others don’t. Think about that for a minute because that sentence presents a compelling idea. But the idea makes a lot of sense.
Boundaries are what leaders employ to:
Boundaries do all that? Yes, they do. How they do it is more than we can cover in this brief note. But, it is a topic we will return to as it is one I find important and one (especially given today’s culture landscape) we need to keep front and center in our minds.
Can you learn to love your boundaries by recognizing them as a supportive tool for increasing your productivity? Regarding productivity, I’m not talking about just getting more done, rather referencing a greater sense of fulfillment in what you are doing.
What about confidently communicating your boundaries to others? And making your exit from the relationship when someone insists on not respecting them?
Boundaries touch every aspect of our lives, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, and having clearly defined and healthy boundaries is key to more skillful and joyful living.
