There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to boundaries. What works for another studio owner or Pilates teacher may not work for you, and that’s okay. Boundaries only work if they align with your values, beliefs, and the kind of business you want to build.
Too often, business owners copy other people’s boundaries. They hear that “successful people don’t reply to emails after 5pm” and think they have to adopt the same rule. But if your value is flexibility and you actually enjoy a quiet hour of admin in the evening, that boundary isn’t aligned. It becomes a rule you resent rather than a structure that serves you.
Mindset is at the heart of this. When you set boundaries based on comparison or fear of judgement, you disconnect from yourself. You end up enforcing rules that don’t fit, and then feel guilty when you can’t keep them. But when you set boundaries based on your values, you create a business that feels authentic, sustainable, and fulfilling.
Values are your compass. If you value family, your boundaries might include finishing by 3pm to pick up the children. If you value growth, your boundaries might protect time each week for learning and reflection. If you value service, your boundaries might ensure you’re fully present with each client rather than running yourself ragged with back-to-back sessions.
Boundaries aligned with your values don’t feel heavy. They feel liberating. They remind you that you’re building a business on purpose, not by accident.
Ask yourself: What do I value most in life and business? How can my boundaries reflect that? Write your answers down. Then look at your diary, your pricing, your communication with clients. Do they reflect your values or someone else’s?
When you set boundaries that honour your values, you no longer feel the need to justify them. You enforce them naturally, because they feel like part of who you are. And that’s when clients respect them most.
Boundaries aren’t about rules imposed from outside. They’re about creating a business and a life that works for you.
If you’d like coaching to help you align your boundaries with your values, email me philippa@holdmyhandcoaching and let’s talk.
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x