One summer in the early 2000s, a couple of New York friends came to visit me in Iowa, where I owned an old farmhouse in the country. I pictured slow mornings, long conversations, maybe an afternoon in the hammock. But one of them, a busy executive, arrived with his Blackberry in hand and never really put it down. At the table, in the car, even by the pool, he stayed tethered to work. The rest of us kept nudging him to unplug, to be present but everything, he insisted, was urgent.

What struck me was not just his inability to disconnect. It was how familiar it felt. I have lived that way too, and I still struggle to unplug, especially putting down the electronic devices.

That experience points to a larger issue in modern work culture. Boundaries are not just about time management or productivity. They are deeply tied to mental and emotional health. Without clear limits, work begins to take over the spaces meant for rest, relationships and recovery. Over time, that erosion leads to stress, burnout and a diminished sense of well-being.

In a recent Harvard Business Review article, “A Guide to Setting Better Boundaries,” author Joe Sanok explains “boundaries are limits we identify for ourselves, and apply through action or communication.” When we define and protect what we need to feel secure and healthy, we function better in every part of our lives. Boundaries are not restrictions. They are a form of self-preservation.

The challenge is that setting them is harder than ever. Technology has made work constant and portable. The Blackberry may be gone, but the cellphone has taken its place and then some. The expectation is no longer that you will respond during work hours, but that you will respond quickly, no matter when or where you are. As a Vanderbilt University news article, “Setting boundaries at work: A key to well-being,” notes, “in today’s fast paced, interconnected world, the lines between personal and professional life can easily blur,” leading to burnout and imbalance. When work is always within reach, the mind never fully disengages and recovery becomes harder.

Remote and hybrid work add another layer. While they offer flexibility, they also remove the physical separation that once marked the end of the workday. A research article, “Does work-life boundary management improve work-life balance for remote workers?” published in Engaged Management ReView shows that when boundaries between work and personal life blur too much, both aspects of life suffer. The result is a paradox, feeling both always on and never fully productive, which fuels anxiety and emotional exhaustion.

There is no single right way to set boundaries. What works for one person may not work for another, because everyone’s life, job and priorities are different and often changing. The key is not perfection or rigidity, but intention. Boundaries are most effective when they are chosen deliberately, based on what you need in a given season rather than shaped entirely by external demands.

Part of what makes this so difficult is internal. Many of us have learned to equate availability with value. Saying yes feels easier than risking disappointment or conflict. But boundaries force us to confront those patterns and take ownership of our time and energy. That discomfort is part of the work. Without it, we give more than we can sustain.

Looking back on that long-ago visit, what stays with me is not just my friend’s constant connection to work, but what it cost him. He missed moments of rest, connection and presence that cannot be recovered later. I recognized that same tendency in myself and over time have learned to be better at carving out time for people and activities that bring me joy and energy, as well as down time for recharging. In a world that rarely slows down, creating those limits intentionally is one of the few ways to protect both our work and our lives.

I asked leaders what professional boundaries they have set that most improved their effectiveness and well-being, and how they communicated and maintained it.

Blake Crow, CPA, partner and Des Moines market leader, Eide Bailly LLP

I’ve learned that for me, the most effective boundary I’ve set isn’t a line between work and life, but clarity about how the two fit together. Personally, I don’t emphasize traditional professional boundaries. That’s a choice that works for me, and I fully recognize others may structure things differently based on what serves them best.

My approach is focused on work/life integration. Many clients and colleagues have my cell number, and it’s not unusual for me to take a call from a child’s practice or respond to an email around family commitments. I don’t formally announce that boundary, but rather just try to model it.

 By integrating work into life rather than competing with it, I’m able to stay engaged professionally while also getting to be present personally. That clarity has ultimately strengthened both my leadership and my energy for my work, while not missing out on life’s special moments with my kids and family.

Amy Jennings, executive director, Lead DSM

I believe in prioritizing family, mental and physical health and the full enjoyment of life. For me to prioritize these things, I actually set fewer traditional boundaries. Appointments and activities don’t always happen outside of work hours. And, Lead DSM programs don’t always happen inside of normal work hours. I encourage our team to understand what feels right for them, and we have conversations about their preferences and needs. The option to shift hours, work from home and turn off notifications means that we can fulfill Lead DSM’s mission and be fully present for life as it happens. 

Angela Jiskoot, community engagement manager, F&G

As someone who works remotely frequently and thrives on connection, one of the most impactful boundaries I’ve set is intentionally protecting time for in-person interaction and personal well-being. I block time on my calendar for lunches, walk-and-talks or coffee meetups to stay energized, connected and share ideas. Equally important, I’ve set a boundary to attend counseling regularly, as it helps me show up more grounded and effective. I’ve communicated these boundaries openly with my leaders, as both are essential to my performance, not separate from it. Their support has reinforced that prioritizing well-being isn’t a trade-off; it’s a strategy they also support and model themselves. Maintaining these boundaries comes down to consistency and treating these commitments with the same importance as any meeting.

Adam Kaduce, president, R&R Real Estate Advisors

A professional boundary that has been important for me is making time to work on our business.  Throughout the year, I seek out opportunities to take a day and spend time reviewing my goals, reviewing professional and personal progress, brainstorming process improvement and evaluating personal fulfillment. This culminates annually with a trip to Scottsdale, Ariz.. As much as I enjoy the sunshine and warm weather in December, this also provides me with uninterrupted time to reflect, plan and evaluate. The end of the year is a good time to reflect on past goals and plan for the upcoming year. Business slows down near the holidays, reducing the normal distractions. Oh, and some golf also gets played.  

Having a dedicated and independent team means that I can spend this focus time while they continue to execute our organizational goals. I’m a believer that we all need that regular time to think strategically, evaluate our goals and ruminate on our personal fulfillment.  

Ed McGill, co-founder and partner, McGill Junge Wealth Management

When I started my career 35 years ago, I prioritized one thing: accessibility. Whether it was a client or a new intern, I made it a point to be reachable. Those relationships have defined our national reputation and remain my greatest source of professional joy.

As we grew from five team members to 25 after co-founder Ross Junge joined the firm, maintaining that proximity became a logistical challenge. I learned that to preserve our culture, I had to be more intentional with my time.

First, I empowered my executive assistant to structure my calendar. By blocking out dedicated focus time, she ensures I can step back to refine our vision and better serve our team and clients. It’s not about closing the door; it’s about making my time more effective.

Second, we implemented “skip meetings.” Team members can “skip” their direct supervisors to book private time with me. We discuss career paths, client interactions and life. These sessions allow me to maintain the intimate, one-on-one relationships that defined our early days.

Growth doesn’t have to mean distance. By being deliberate about how we connect, we’ve scaled our firm without losing the heart of what we built.

Samantha Mesa, WHO-TV anchor, reporter

To maintain neutrality in a divided political climate, giving context and including all sides in my reporting has been critical to fairly serving the public, and has been effective in protecting my energy in what can be a combative landscape. Every day, something changes and I strive to focus on accurately documenting and explaining the changes. 

Being in the public eye, it’s important to understand and maintain personal boundaries with social media and negative comments. Social media can be utilized for good, and I try to focus my social media on uplifting others making a difference.