Setting Boundaries in Business: Protecting Your Energy and Message

How Defining What’s for Public Consumption Can Safeguard Your Success

Setting boundaries in business is crucial for protecting your energy, maintaining clarity in your message, and ensuring your well-being as an entrepreneur. When I first published my book, The Other Side of Bipolar, I knew I was putting a deeply personal part of my life out into the world. The book was raw and real—like handing over my diary for others to read.

It connected with people because I wrote from a place of true vulnerability. This allowed me to build my business on empathy and shared experience. But soon after the book’s release, something unexpected happened. People started asking probing questions about my relationships, opinions, and personal beliefs—areas of my life unrelated to my mental health journey or work.

Suddenly, I felt exposed and unsafe, as if people were digging into parts of my life that were never meant for public consumption. This experience forced me to reevaluate my boundaries in business. I needed to get clear on what parts of my story I was willing to share and what needed to stay private. It was a tough lesson but an essential one. Setting boundaries wasn’t just about protecting myself—it was about maintaining the integrity and clarity of my message.

Understanding Boundaries in Business: More Than Just Saying No

Many people misunderstand boundaries in business. They think of them as rigid walls that keep others out. But in reality, boundaries are much more nuanced. They aren’t about being closed off or putting up a false front. Instead, boundaries help you decide which parts of your story to share and which to keep private.

This distinction is crucial in today’s world. Personal branding and sharing your story are key to connecting with others. As empathetic entrepreneurs, we often feel the need to be fully open and transparent to build trust with our audience. But there’s a fine line between being vulnerable and oversharing in business.

Oversharing can muddle your message, make your audience uncomfortable, and most importantly, make you feel unsafe. The key is to find the balance that allows you to be authentic without sacrificing your sense of security. For me, this meant clearly defining what was for public consumption and what wasn’t. I recognized that while my mental health journey was central to my business, other aspects of my life needed to remain private.

The Impact of Oversharing in Business: When Boundaries Are Blurred

Oversharing affects how others perceive you and profoundly impacts your well-being and message clarity. After my book was published, I often felt uncomfortable when people expected me to be an open book in all areas. When I wasn’t, it created confusion and tension. This experience showed me that without clear boundaries, I risked my well-being and the integrity of my message.

My business is built on helping others with mental health and self-care. Staying focused on that purpose is essential. When I allowed the boundaries between my public and private life to blur, my messaging became cloudy. I started to lose the sense of safety that is so important in this work. The stakes might be different for you, but the principle remains the same.

Without boundaries in business, it’s easy to lose track of what’s truly important. You might share too much, too soon, or in ways that don’t align with your goals. This can lead to burnout, confusion, and a loss of connection with your audience.

Defining What’s for Public Consumption in Business: Protecting Your Message and Yourself

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that having a personal brand doesn’t mean you have to share everything. Being vulnerable and authentic is about being intentional with what you share, not about opening the floodgates and letting everything out.

So, how do you decide what to share and what to keep private? It starts with understanding your business purpose and aligning your boundaries with that purpose. Ask yourself: What parts of my story are essential for connecting with my audience? What aligns with my business goals? What needs to stay private to protect my integrity, clarity, and safety?

For example, my business is centered around mental health and self-care. This is where I focus my storytelling and sharing. Other aspects of my life, like personal relationships or opinions on unrelated topics, aren’t relevant to my business and are better kept private. This clarity helps me keep a strong, focused message while also caring for myself

But boundaries aren’t just about what you share—they’re also about how you protect your energy and well-being. As empathetic entrepreneurs, it’s easy to take on too much, to give more than we have, and to end up feeling drained. Setting boundaries isn’t just about protecting your message—it’s about protecting yourself.

Three Key Takeaways for Setting Boundaries in Business:

1. Boundaries Are Essential for Clarity and Safety in Business: Setting clear boundaries helps protect your message, your energy, and your sense of safety. They aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about ensuring that what you share aligns with your business goals and personal well-being.
2. Oversharing in Business Can Dilute Your Message: Sharing too much can confuse your audience and dilute the clarity of your message. Be intentional with what you share. Focus on what truly matters to your business and purpose.
3. Your Business Purpose Guides Your Boundaries: Use your business purpose as a guide to determine what’s for public consumption and what should remain private. This helps you maintain integrity in your messaging while also protecting your personal life and energy.

Conclusion: Protecting Your Energy and Message with Healthy Boundaries

In the world of entrepreneurship, especially for those of us who are heart-centered and empathetic, setting boundaries is not just about saying no—it’s about protecting your energy, maintaining clarity in your message, and ensuring that your vulnerability is a strength, not a liability. Intentionally choose what to share. This way, you can build a brand that resonates with your audience and also take care of yourself.

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