Boundaries That Actually Work – How to Stop Being Available 24/7 Without Feeling Like a Jerk
Let’s be real—burnout isn’t just “working too much.” It’s the slow, creeping exhaustion that comes from being too available, absorbing everyone else’s stress, and saying yes when you should’ve said hell no. Sound familiar? Then it’s time to fix your boundaries before your practice steamrolls you.
Last time, we dug into the sneaky burnout traps that drain practice owners dry. Now, we’re shifting from oh, crap, that’s me to okay, what do I do about it?—aka, boundaries that actually work (without making you feel like a heartless dictator).
Understanding Boundaries (For Real This Time)
Everybody loves to talk about boundaries, but let’s be honest—most people don’t actually set them, and when they do, they suck at enforcing them. A boundary isn’t about controlling other people; it’s about deciding what you will and won’t allow. Think of it like a security fence—it keeps the chaos out, protects your energy, and stops you from feeling like a human doormat.
The Boundary Mistakes That Are Wrecking You
Being Too Available – If you’re answering texts at 10 p.m. or jumping on “quick calls” during dinner, congrats, you’ve trained your team (and clients) to expect that. Time to untrain them.
Absorbing Everyone’s Stress – Leadership ≠ emotional dumping ground. You can support your team without carrying their stress like a backpack full of rocks.
Saying Yes When You Should Say No – Every “yes” to something that drains you is a “no” to something that matters. Stop saying yes out of guilt, obligation, or sheer autopilot.
Overworking Instead of Training – If “it’s just easier to do it myself” is your mantra, congratulations, you’ve made yourself indispensable in the worst possible way. Train your team. Delegate. Stop being the bottleneck.
How to Set Boundaries That Stick (Without Feeling Like a Jerk)
✅ Time Boundaries – Set your working hours. Stick to them. No “just this one time” exceptions unless it’s actually urgent.
✅ Emotional Boundaries – Be a leader, not a therapist for your team. You can care without carrying their stress.
✅ Decision Boundaries – If every little thing needs your sign-off, your business is built on quicksand. Delegate decisions and trust your team to handle their roles.
✅ Communication Boundaries – “Emergency” does not mean “someone wants an answer right now.” Clarify who should handle what and let people own their responsibilities.
Dealing With Pushback (Because There Will Be Some)
People don’t like change, especially when they’ve benefited from your lack of boundaries. Be upfront, be clear, and don’t backtrack. You’re not taking something away—you’re setting up a sustainable business that doesn’t run you into the ground.
Bottom Line? Boundaries = Survival.
Your practice needs you to be at your best, and that won’t happen if you’re constantly stretched thin. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re necessary.
👉 Want more real-talk strategies to run your practice without losing your sanity? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership for live trainings, Q&As, and a community of practice owners who actually get it.
About the Author
Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a gently-candid consultant who’s been in the trenches of group practice ownership since 2017. With a hearty blend of depth, irreverence, and a solid dash of humor (or so she hopes), Tara helps practice owners navigate the can-be-messy process of hiring, culture-building, vision generating, people-y issues, and all the other things that keep you up at night. When she’s not consulting, she’s probably wrangling her animals or homeschooling her kids—because why not add more chaos to the mix?
Ready to dive deeper into practice culture? Join the membership and get access to the tools and insights that make thriving, sustainable practices more than just a pipe dream.
