Intro to Boundaries

H o w t o L e a d a s a W o m a n P h y s i c i a n S e r i e s

IntroductiontoBoundaries forLeaders

Clear boundaries and the prioritization of your own self-care are the keys to thriving and finding freedom as a woman physician and a leader.

Without intentionally approaching both concepts in your life, it’s very difficult to find the clarity, peace and focus to not only enjoy our lives, but have the impact we want to have in our lives and our work.

So, what do we mean by “boundaries” and why do we need them as women, physicians, and leaders?

This is the focus of my book, Boundaries for Women Physicians: Love Your Life and Career in Medicine. In essence, personal boundaries are the invisible line between what is yours and what is not. And for us as women, physicians, and leaders –

T a m m i e C h a n g , M D , L L C

H o w t o L e a d a s a W o m a n P h y s i c i a n S e r i e s

raised and socialized to be helpers, givers, and caretakers -- even more important is to clearly define what is our responsibility, and what is not our responsibility.

Many of us have a visceral, almost gut and guilt-filled reaction when we hear the word “boundaries” – I certainly used to. And most of us didn’t learn about boundaries until adulthood because the concept didn’t exist until the 1980s when the concept of personal boundaries was first introduced by therapists, counselors, and self-help groups. The concept of boundaries wasn’t really introduced into public awareness until Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend published their first book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life in the early 1990s. Our parents were not raised to have boundaries, and personal boundaries likely were not modeled by the adults in our lives during our childhood, teen years, college, or decade-long medical

training. So, it’s completely normal and natural to feel uncomfortable when we bring up the subject of boundaries. For many of us now, it’s a new concept. And anything new is uncomfortable.

So how can we begin to think about how to create boundaries in our lives? When we think about boundaries, what we need to create usually involves another person or other people. Think about areas of tension and stress in your life, that could be related to boundaries.

I want to offer a framework for beginning to think about this concept.

What are the boundaries you need to intentionally create in each of these 3 areas of your life?

1.Boundaries with Self 2.Boundaries at Work 3.Boundaries at Home

T a m m i e C h a n g , M D , L L C

H o w t o L e a d a s a W o m a n P h y s i c i a n S e r i e s

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:

Boundaries at Work could look like:

Boundaries at Home 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

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

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

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H o w t o L e a d a s a W o m a n P h y s i c i a n S e r i e s

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!

T a m m i e C h a n g , M D , L L C

H o w t o L e a d a s a W o m a n P h y s i c i a n S e r i e s

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

T a m m i e C h a n g , M D , L L C