Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free
AdviceAsk a Coach - Finding Balance at Work

Ask a Coach - Finding Balance at Work

Neca offers tips for creating a collaborative work environment that doesn't come at the expense of your own healthy boundaries.

Try 14 days free
Share:

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Better mental health starts with Headspace

What would it look like to have balance in your life and good workplace relationships, right? Like what does that look like? And you get to decide, right? The next thing I would think about in order to communicate this, because you don't wanna just do it and not say anything. You don't wanna just say, "Office hours are from 3:00 to 10:00," right? Or whatever time. So what you might do is just what I like to say just practicing assertive communication, right? So you might make a plan to just use your I statements and just say, "I feel this way and because of that I want to shift just kind of how we work and communicate a little bit." (bright music) Okay. (video beeps) Hey, I'm Neca and welcome back to Ask a Coach. So our next question is from Magdalena. Magdalena says, "I am the owner of a small business and the manager of a team of four people. I want us to collaborate and enjoy working together, and I know that comes from leadership. I want my employees to know that the door is always open for us to speak. While these conversations are meaningful, it comes at a cost to my schedule. I'm often staying later at work because of a random conversation, or I'm not getting my work done and then having to make up the time in off hours. I want my employees to feel they can always come talk to me, but I also want to keep promises to myself, like leaving work on time. How do I set boundaries at work as a leader?" Great, great question. First of all, kudos to you for wanting to create this collaborative environment. I don't think there's enough of that in the workplace, but it looks like, again, it's coming at the expense of your own time and your own balance, actually. What would it look like to have balance in your life and good workplace relationships, right? Like what does that look like? And you get to decide, right? The next thing I would think about in order to communicate this, because you don't wanna just do it and not say anything. You don't wanna just say, "Office hours are from 3:00 to 10:00," right? Or whatever time. But you wanna do this in a way that it feels collaborative. So what you might do is just what I like to say just practicing assertive communication, right? So you might make a plan to just use your I statements and just say, "I feel this way and because of that I want to shift just kind of how we work and communicate a little bit." You can ask them, "Well, what do you think?" And it sounds like they respect you enough, Magdalena, to agree with that, or just say, "You know what, that makes sense." So it may be that you begin to communicate that with them, again, assertively. Maybe not...

Details

TypeAdvice
Duration3 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice