How do I set boundaries for work hours with clients?

Setting boundaries for work hours with clients is essential for maintaining your sanity and ensuring the sustainability of your freelancing career. I remember struggling with this early in my journey, constantly feeling on-call. Here's how you can do it:

1. Communicate Early and Clearly: From the onset of any client relationship, make sure to clearly communicate your working hours. This sets expectations and prevents misunderstandings. You could include a section on working hours in your contract or an initial email.

2. Use Tools to Maintain Boundaries: Leverage scheduling tools to set and display your availability. Calendly or similar apps can automate meeting times, ensuring they only book during your working hours.

3. Have a Dedicated Work Channel: Decide on a preferred communication method, like email or Slack, and stick to it. This helps you manage client communications effectively and keeps personal boundaries intact. Let them know your preferred response times and availability for urgent issues.

4. Enforce the Boundaries: Stick to the boundaries you set. It's tempting to respond outside work hours to make a good impression, but consistency is key. If you do have to make an exception, don’t let it become the rule.

5. Educate on Turnaround Times: Educate your clients about reasonable turnaround times for their requests. A client once wanted deliverables the next day, but explaining the process showed them why quality work required more time.

6. Reassess Regularly: Boundaries aren’t set in stone. If you find certain hours or methods aren’t working, be open to adjusting them. Check in with yourself periodically to assess what’s working.

By embedding these boundaries into your routine, you not only protect your personal time, but also enhance your productivity when you are working. It's all about defining success on your own terms—making sure your work fits into your life, not the other way around.