It’s not easy to run a small business: as creative entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves struggling to find the ideal work / life balance.

Working from home is one of my favorite things about my business: it gives me so much freedom and flexibility to do the job I love, and be present at home.

But it can also be difficult to set healthy boundaries, especially when you’re not working in a typical office environment. The lines between work and home are often blurred—making it even more important to draw clear boundaries that help define time for both.

On top of that, there is a certain layer of approachability that comes with running a creative business. We want our clients to feel comfortable with us, and we are working together on projects that feel very personal. Our client relationships require a particular balance between a sincere personal connection and professionalism in the process.

That’s exactly why healthy boundaries are important in a creative business. Boundaries show respect for your clients and for yourself, allowing you to be fully present for work, life, and rest.

I’m certainly not perfect about boundaries, but there are a few that I’ve found as guidelines for myself and my business. I hope perhaps they’ll be as helpful for you as they have been for me:

Clear Communication vs. Constant Communication

Clear communication is better than constant communication.

What most clients really need is not an immediate response time or 24/7 availability. What they actually need is clear communication.

Your clients don’t need to feel that you are constantly available for communication if they understand your process and know when to expect a next communication from you.

You and your clients will BOTH be better served by setting clear expectations about your time working together—including when and how you plan to communicate.

A few ways you can do this:

– Set a timeline for the project, including check-ins / milestones
– Set a weekly phone call to review project progress and answer questions
– Set weekly “office hours” when clients can give you a call
– End emails with a plan for your next communication: “I will be in touch by Wednesday of next week with a proof for you to review. Looking forward to talking with you then!”

Set a Communication Method

In following with clear communication… it’s important that YOU set the communication method for your clients. Do you prefer for clients to communicate via email? Phone calls? Whatever you decide, tell your clients! If you don’t set those boundaries, you can’t blame clients for not knowing where or how to reach you.

Just one note: I advise against texting; it’s easy for texts to feel too personal, and you’re likely to look at them (and feel pressure to respond) outside of business hours.

If you do receive communication outside of your preferred method, redirect the client to the appropriate place of communication. Need help? Here’s some quick swipe copy you can use:

For an unexpected phone call: “I’m happy to talk through this, but I want to give our discussion the time and focus it deserves. Can we schedule a call for a time when I can give my full attention?”

For texts: “Thanks so much for sending this information my way! Would you mind sending it in an email? Email is the best way to keep everything for our project in one place so I can make sure nothing gets lost.”

A few ways you can do this:

– Tell your clients at the beginning of the project how you plan to communicate
– Implement a system (we use Asana) where you plan to communicate
– Ask clients to schedule your calls (we use Dubsado), rather than picking up the phone any time it rings

Business Hours

Set business hours for yourself… then communicate them clearly to your clients AND to any other members of your household.

I recommend sharing business hours on your website and in your email signature, so clients know when to expect that you are in the office.

It’s also a great idea to share your office hours with your partner or kids, so they know when to expect you to be available to give them your full attention at home.

You are in control of your business hours. You have the freedom to choose what your schedule looks like. Are you available everyday from 9:00am–5:00pm? Maybe you like to sleep in late, or perhaps you like to wrap up by 2:00pm so you can pick up the kids. Maybe you’re only in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. YOU decide what your schedule looks like—and then communicate it clients and family.

… and now the important part: stick to your set business hours.

It’s hard for clients to respect your business hours if you don’t respect them yourself.

Be committed to answering emails only during business hours. Do not send emails outside of your business hours. Once you cross that boundary line, you’ve altered your client’s expectations for your availability and response times. (If you do want to do a little late-night work in your inbox, use an email scheduler like Streak to schedule emails to send during the appropriate business hours).

I also encourage you to stick to business hours for yourself.

Setting business hours gives you a predetermined time to shut down your computer and walk away from your desk. Building this into your routine removes the decision fatigue or guilt from your quitting time. Stop telling yourself, “I could probably squeeze in another half hour,” or “Just 20 more minutes, that’s all.” Work is over when business hours are over.

This also honors the boundaries you’ve set for other members of your household. You’ve asked them to respect your business hours while you’re working; now you need to respect your business hours by putting work away.

Don’t get me wrong: I love the occasional late-night work session… but that should be the exception—not the rule!

A few ways you can do this:

– List business hours on your website and in your email signature
– Use an email scheduler to keep any after-hours work within office hours
– Set a timer to go off 30 minutes before the end of your workday; use your last 30 minutes to wrap up any loose ends and make a to-do list for tomorrow.

Create a Workspace

While working from home, it’s helpful to draw physical boundaries between your work space and your living space. Closing the door on your home-life responsibilities can help you focus on work (and vice versa). The shift in environment can change your mindset and boost your productivity.

Even if you don’t have a dedicated room to use as an office, you can still find ways to make your workspace feel differentiated from the rest of your home.

Think about the full environment, not just the desk… how can you create a workspace that prompts your brain into productivity? Consider all the senses: turn on your work playlist, light a specific candle, or prepare a certain flavor of tea to sip during the workday.

Over time, your brain will associate these sensory elements with work / productivity, helping create a productive environment.

At the end of the day, shut down the work environment as completely as possible: turn off the playlist, power down your computer, turn off the lights, and shut the door to your office—actions that signify to your brain that it’s time to shift out of work mode.

A few ways you can do this:

– Designate a workspace within your home (even if it’s small)
– Consider the senses: how can you further differentiate your workspace?
– Create an “End of the Day” routine to shut down your work environment and help your brain shift out of work mode

Schedule Time Off

First let’s talk about the short term: scheduling time off during the work day / work week. Your brain needs regular breaks for restoration: a lunch break or an afternoon walk can do wonders for your mind and body.

I also like to designate specific time off each week for errands / household chores. That way, I’m not tempted to do a load of laundry or wash dishes during my business hours; instead, I know it will get done during my dedicated chore time.

It’s also important to schedule time off in the long-term… and I don’t mean an action-packed vacation itinerary. I mean days off just for you to rest. What would it feel like to take a week away from the office, just to relax? Maybe book a quiet AirBnb, just to restore your mind?

It is SO challenging, but it can be done! Rest protects the longevity of your business and actually helps you serve your clients well.

Give your rest FIRST priority on your calendar. Schedule non-negotiable days away from your desk. I try to take one day per month just for rest and relaxation—a day where I can sleep in, read a book, or get a massage.

If you’re taking a longer break (good for you!), be sure to communicate it clearly with your clients.

Check in with clients well before you take time off: “Hi Client, I am planning to be out of office from May 14th–May 18th. Prior to that date, we are planning to deliver [xyz], and we will return to [items xyz] when we are back in the office on May 19th. Is there anything else we can do for you before then?

A few ways you can do this:

– Schedule non-negotiable time off; put it on the calendar with top priority
– List an “Advance Out of Office Notice” (with dates) in your email signature
– Notify clients before you will be out of office
– Use an autoresponder if you’ll be out of office for more than a few days

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Setting healthy boundaries is not easy… but it IS necessary for your mental wellness, your client experience, and longevity of your business. It demonstrates respect to your clients, your loved ones, and yourself.

What will you do to start implementing healthy boundaries in your own business? I’d love to hear your ideas—and I wish you all the best in setting healthy boundaries that truly work for you in business and in life.