Why Boundaries Are Vital To Your Success As A Designer
I’ve got great news for you.
Studies show that designers who establish and maintain client boundaries…
👉 Report higher client retention, referrals and repeat business (the easiest money - yes please!)
👉 Report higher levels of job satisfaction (probably because they’re able to make more money with less stress, resentment, and frustration)
👉 Achieve more sustainable growth over time (which is actually much more enjoyable than peaks and deep, dark valleys)
Sounds pretty nice, right?
So if setting client boundaries achieve all these things, then I want to ask you something…
Why aren't you establishing them?
"Because Client Boundaries Are Selfish!"
A pretty common myth is that setting boundaries is a selfish thing,
And depending how you look at it, it’s not a myth at all.
Setting boundaries is kinda selfish.
The main purpose of setting boundaries is to protect oneself, after all.
And as a fellow business owner and business coach to designers, here's what I recommend you selfishly protect:
Your time
Time is your greatest asset.
The more time you have, the more intentional you can be with your projects (better client satisfaction, better results), the more you can take on in less time (more money), and the greater work-life balance you have (like being able to leave work at 3:30 to attend your son’s ice skating lessons).
Your profit
I actually Googled how to explain what a “business is”, and this is the simplest one I found:
An organization that provides goods and services to the community in exchange for money, with the goal of becoming profitable.
The more profit you have, the healthier your business is, and the healthier YOU are.
You’ll be able to take care of yourself, take care of your family, and re-invest more back into your business to improve it.
Your self-value
Bending on your boundaries decreases your self-respect, which greatly affects your self-value.
When your self-value gets chipped away at, one client and one instance at a time, your business begins to transform for the worse.
You’ll take on and tolerate undesirable business and clients.
You’ll make less money, and that money will feel harder to make.
You’ll be way more stressed at work and at home.
You’ll lose the joy you originally went into business for.
Self-value needs to be protected.
And you protect it with having self-respect, which is demonstrated by having boundaries.
How Boundaries Are Actually Selfless
Now that we’re both in agreement that having boundaries is selfish, I want to make an argument for how selfless they actually are.
It’s been proven that establishing client boundaries leads to higher client satisfaction.
But how can this be if they are so selfish to have in place?
Because when you protect your time, your profit, and your self-value, you are able to give more and better to those around you.
You’re able to be more efficient, because you don’t spend your time chasing down clients who aren’t paying you, responding to emails about rooms you didn’t agree to design, or trying to figure out how to reply to your clients text about a lamp she found at Home Goods.
You’re able to be more effective, because you’ll be able to give your focus to one thing at a time and better streamline your processes. You’ll be able to keep track of client decisions and changes because everything will be documented via email vs text messages and phone calls. You’ll have protected time for creativity, for learning, for your family, etc. which makes you better in all areas. You’re able to stay on track with projects because you won’t be jumping into irrelevant phases of a project.
You’re able to show up better, because you’ll be paid what you deserve, paid on time, and working with clients you actually enjoy. Because you will be spending your time where you WANT to spend it, not on obligations. Because you’ll be respected in your expertise. Because you’ll have a separation between work and home life. Because you’ll be less stressed, feel valued, and know your worth.
A Win/Win Business Strategy
So for all of these reasons, establishing client boundaries shouldn’t be riddled with guilt, stress, and fear.
Client boundaries should be viewed as a business strategy.
And the best business strategies?
Are the ones that benefit your clients, too.
That’s how you really win.
PS - Enrollment for Client Success Academy opens tomorrow (!!!) and early applications will receive a major incentive. Tap HERE to learn more.