How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Introduction to Boundaries for Leaders
Clear boundaries and the
So, what do we mean by
prioritization of your own self-care
“boundaries” and why do we need
are the keys to thriving and finding
them as women, physicians, and
freedom as a woman physician and a
leaders?
leader. This is the focus of my book, Without intentionally approaching
Boundaries for Women Physicians:
both concepts in your life, it’s very
Love Your Life and Career in Medicine.
difficult to find the clarity, peace and
In essence, personal boundaries are
focus to not only enjoy our lives, but
the invisible line between what is
have the impact we want to have in
yours and what is not. And for us as
our lives and our work.
women, physicians, and leaders –
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
raised and socialized to be helpers,
training. So, it’s completely normal
givers, and caretakers -- even more
and natural to feel uncomfortable
important is to clearly define what is
when we bring up the subject of
our responsibility, and what is not our
boundaries. For many of us now, it’s a
responsibility.
new concept. And anything new is uncomfortable.
Many of us have a visceral, almost gut and guilt-filled reaction when we hear
So how can we begin to think about
the word “boundaries” – I certainly
how to create boundaries in our lives?
used to. And most of us didn’t learn
When we think about boundaries,
about boundaries until adulthood
what we need to create usually
because the concept didn’t exist until
involves another person or other
the 1980s when the concept of
people. Think about areas of tension
personal boundaries was first
and stress in your life, that could be
introduced by therapists, counselors,
related to boundaries.
and self-help groups. The concept of boundaries wasn’t really introduced
I want to offer a framework for
into public awareness until Drs. Henry
beginning to think about this concept.
Cloud and John Townsend published their first book Boundaries: When to
What are the boundaries you need to
Say Yes, How to Say No to Take
intentionally create in each of these 3
Control of Your Life in the early 1990s.
areas of your life?
Our parents were not raised to have boundaries, and personal boundaries
1.Boundaries with Self
likely were not modeled by the adults
2.Boundaries at Work
in our lives during our childhood, teen
3.Boundaries at Home
years, college, or decade-long medical
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Through this How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series, we’ve already explored some of the key concepts that are essential to creating healthy boundaries. Because boundaries must first come from within with a strong sense of who you are, your core values, what you stand for, and what your non-negotiables are– from the inside out. Boundaries with your Self could look like: Noticing your Inner Critic and the sneaky negative things your Inner Critic says to you Creating boundaries around your self-care and what you need to be your best self every day Noticing your fear of failure or your perfectionism, and how this holds you back in your day-to-day life Boundaries at Work could look like: Setting clear and intentional times to check and respond to email Setting clear expectations with staff and colleagues about your availability – by phone, text, email etc. Setting clear boundaries and expectations with your patients Boundaries at Home could look like: Not checking email or your EMR from home, unless you are on call Putting your phone away when you are spending time with loved ones to be more present Setting boundaries and clear expectations with family members around finances and money
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Setting boundaries and clear expectations with friends and family members who drain your energy Your Assignment: 1.Take 20 minutes right now to write down everything you can in a journal in the 3 areas (Self, Work, Home) that drain your energy or where you might need to set clear, or clearer, boundaries. 2.Now, look through your list. Which is the one that you most want to change your life? Which one is your #1 priority? What about this one makes you want to change it the most? 3.Take this #1 boundary, and brainstorm what you need to make this change. What needs to change about you, your life, or in your interactions with those in your life, to make this possible? To take a deeper dive into creating boundaries in your life, join me for one of my Setting Boundaries for Women Physicians 5-Day Challenges, my 12-week Boundaries for Women Physicians Group Coaching Program, take my Boundaries and Burnout Assessment, and check out my book Boundaries for Women Physicians: Love Your Life and Career in Medicine on Amazon!
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Based on your learning happening in this Journal / Blog Post Reflection & how it applies to your day-to-day, please capture your reflections here to unlock AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/mnkqoD Email me at info@tammiechangmd.com with questions, any time. I am here for you friend…!
Tammie
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
