Success shouldn’t cost your sleep

There's one week that really stands out to me when I first started my legal firm - a week when I thought I was hitting it big.

I had contracts lined up one after the other, and the excitement of new projects kept me going.

But along with the flurry of late-night emails and client calls that stretched into dinner time, the shiny illusion of "success" started to fade.

At first, it seemed like I was finally getting somewhere. Being busy and sought after felt great.

But as I buried myself in last-minute revisions and skipped weekends that were supposed to be for relaxing, a harsh truth hit me:

I was creating a cage - one that locked me in, draining my time, peace, and well-being.

That week didn’t teach me anything about hustle culture; it was a wake-up call showing me the importance of setting boundaries.

I See Other Industries With This Problem

This is something that I've seen other industries also suffer from. I've noticed, especially in the IT world, is that timelines always seem to stretch, and clients often throw in “just one more change.”

It’s a tricky dance where priorities get fuzzy, and urgency can easily be misread.

That’s why protecting your time is so important. You need to set boundaries that help you keep a healthy work-life balance.

And just to be clear: defending your time doesn’t mean you have to be rude or hard to get along with; it just means you need to be clear and firm about your limits.

My Way To Set Boundaries

1. Set Your Working Hours in Every Contract

Always lay out your working hours in your client contracts. For example, you might say, “Monday to Friday, 10 AM–6 PM IST.”

Also, communicate how quickly you’ll respond: “Emails and messages outside working hours will be replied to the next business day.” Being upfront makes a big difference in managing expectations.

2. Clarify What ‘Urgent’ Means

Be clear about what counts as an “urgent” request. For example, you could include something like: “Urgent support outside working hours will be billed at twice the usual rate and depends on availability.”

This helps show that not every request needs an immediate response, letting you manage your priorities better.

3. Reiterate Your Boundaries in Discovery Calls

It’s key to mention your working hours and communication policies at the start of every project or discovery call.

Bring up the best ways to contact you (like email, Slack, or WhatsApp) and when you’ll be available. This sets a professional tone from the get-go.

4. Use Tech to Enforce Your Boundaries

Take advantage of technology by setting up auto-responses for emails or messages received after hours.

This little reminder not only lets clients know when you’re available, but it also helps reinforce your commitment to keeping those time boundaries. Plus, blocking off time in your calendar for personal stuff makes sure it’s respected.

5. Protect Your Weekends and Holidays

Finally, outline holidays and any planned breaks in your contract and project timeline.

Make it clear that work (and replies) will stop during these times unless you’ve agreed on something beforehand. This sets the standard that your time off matters and should be respected.

Final Note

Don’t see boundaries as just a way to say “no.” Instead, understand that they’re important for letting you say “yes” to the life you really want.

Build your business, but do it on your own terms. Create contracts that protect your time, and work with clients who respect your schedule.

That’s the real win—finding success on your own terms without sacrificing your peace or well-being along the way.