Amy and Sarah tackle boundaries. Learning to set boundaries with your time and your energy is critical to being able to, well, function. This includes saying no to unnecessary meetings, limiting after-hours work, managing extra tasks, and communicating your capacity clearly. Boundaries aren’t about being rigid or unhelpful—they’re about making sure your contributions are sustainable and aligned with your career goals.

Boundaries can be especially tough for early-career professionals and women, who are often conditioned to be agreeable, responsive, and accommodating. The pressure to prove yourself or avoid being seen as difficult can make saying no feel risky—but learning to set boundaries is essential not just for protecting your own career growth and well-being, but also for modeling healthy work habits for others.

Unicorns in the Breakroom is proudly sponsored by Pinecone Coaching, a Leadership Coaching company dedicated to helping rising leaders gain the confidence they need to take their careers to the next level. Mention the podcast for a 15% discount off of any coaching package!

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