9 Tips for Setting Effective Boundaries

Do you set good boundaries in your holistic business? Or do you make yourself available anytime a client wants you?

It’s so tempting especially if you are struggling to get enough clients, or just starting out. We’ve all been there. Offering a late, last-minute evening appointment, when we really want to be winding down and having dinner.

Good boundaries are essential for maintaining a healthy and respectful working relationship with your clients. They help to establish clear expectations and responsibilities, while also helping to avoid any misunderstandings. Boundaries will help you protect your time and energy and ultimately avoid burning out.

Here are 9 tips to set healthy boundaries:

1. Have Clear Offers

When working with clients, it's important to be clear about what services and products you offer and what is included in them. Make sure you set expectations early on, so there are no misunderstandings. If you struggle with this, check out this blog on how to create an offer outline.

2. Set Communication Boundaries

Establish communication boundaries by letting them know how and when they can contact you. Whether you prefer to communicate via email or by phone, make it clear from the beginning.

3. Set Availability Boundaries

It's important to set limits on your time for seeing clients, so you’re not overwhelmed or exhausted. Let your clients know when you're available for appointments and stick to those hours.

4. Decide Prices and Payment Terms

Establishing clear prices for your services and communicating payment policies from the beginning, will avoid any surprises later. Let your clients know when payment is due and what happens if they don't pay on time. This includes having a clear cancellation policy, so people know the consequences of chopping and changing appointments.

Years of working for myself have taught me to take payment in advance (where possible) so there are no surprises, no no-shows, or last-minute cancellations. This can be easily done using an online booking system, allowing clients to book and pay at the same time.

5. Identify Any Unacceptable Behaviours

It’s important that you’re working with people who respect you and your boundaries. If there are certain behaviours that aren’t acceptable to you, such as lateness, rudeness, bad hygiene, or even those looking for a magic solution without making any effort - let clients know upfront.

6. Say “No”

Sometimes, clients may ask for things that are outside the scope of your services or not feasible given your other commitments. Be willing to say no when necessary and offer alternative solutions when possible.

7. Have a Client Agreement

It's important to have an agreement in place that outlines the scope of your relationship, and other important details.

My client agreement as a practitioner clearly outlined what a client could expect from working with me and what I expected from them in return. I covered everything about how we will manage our relationship from preparation to timekeeping and payment. Everything was clear and agreed upon in advance of our working together.

8. Respect The Boundaries You Set

If you say you don’t work weekends, avoid responding to emails or texts on a Sunday night. This tells your clients you work at the times you say you don’t, which sends mixed messages.

This includes the prices you charge, and money can be a really challenging topic. Decide what your rates are and any concessions before you’re put on the spot and find yourself flustered. This is especially important if it’s appropriate for you to work with family and friends.

When I worked in a multi-discipline clinic, we agreed we would pay each other full price for appointments. This avoided awkward conversations and we fully respected each other’s skills.

9. Advertise Your Boundaries

Depending on how and where you work, consider ways you can advertise your boundaries.

Include them on your website, they will also act as a filter for people to decide if you're the right practitioner for them. If you have a clinic, display a notice outlining your opening times, your rates, payment methods and your cancellation policy.

A practitioner friend who works part-time and is a busy mum is very clear about her availability. She has the days she works displayed on her website and in her email signature and for the days she doesn’t work, she has an out-of-office letting people know when to expect a reply. Her clients fit in with her schedule knowing they are their only options because she’s great at what she does.

Setting boundaries with clients is important for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and protecting your own well-being. It’s much easier to feel compassionate towards your clients when you feel respected. If you feel people are taking advantage of your good nature, it can make working with them more challenging. Good boundaries will protect you and your client so you can both thrive.

If you’re struggling in your holistic business to find clients and thrive, book a discovery call and find out how I can help you.