This week, we're planning out your business operations. Another way we can think about "operations" is to think of them as your "boundaries."

Setting clear boundaries is crucial for a few reasons:

1. They help you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
2. They make you a more productive (and less prone to burnout).
3. They lead to happy clients.

Here are some important boundaries that I challenge you to think about in your own business:

1. Define your working hours: Communicate your specific working hours to clients and establish the times during which you will be available for tasks. This helps manage client expectations and prevents them from expecting immediate responses outside of those designated hours.
2. Establish communication channels: Clearly communicate preferred channels of communication (such as email, messaging apps, or project management tools) and response times. Set expectations for when and how often you will provide updates, ensuring that clients understand the timeframe for receiving responses.
3. Set realistic turnaround times: Be transparent about the amount of time required to complete tasks or projects. Set realistic turnaround times and manage client expectations accordingly. This prevents clients from expecting instant results and allows you to prioritize and allocate time effectively.
4. Define scope of work: Clearly outline the scope of work included in your services and specify the number of revisions or rounds of feedback included. This helps prevent scope creep and ensures that clients understand the boundaries of your agreed-upon services.
5. Establish payment terms and schedule: Clearly communicate your payment terms, including rates, accepted payment methods, and payment schedule. Set expectations for when invoices will be issued and when payments are due. This helps prevent payment-related issues and ensures a smooth financial relationship with your clients.

There are other boundaries that you might consider setting for your business:

• Availability for urgent requests outside of regular working hours.
• Limiting the number of meetings or calls per week.
• Specifying your policy on last-minute or rush requests.
• Clarifying your policies on vacations, holidays, and time off.

Remember, setting and communicating boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy working relationship. It's important to be clear, consistent, and assertive in upholding these boundaries, ensuring that both you and your clients have an understanding of expectations.

Don't forget to download your PDF worksheet that accompanies this video!