How to Set Boundaries So People Stop Wasting Your Time

Working from home should mean more freedom and focus.

But for most entrepreneurs, it turns into constant interruptions, distractions, and people pulling you in different directions all day long.

Your family assumes you’re always available. Your team messages you outside work hours. Your clients expect instant responses.

Before you know it, you’re exhausted and barely making progress on what actually matters.

The problem isn’t time management. It’s a lack of boundaries.

If you don’t set clear rules, people will keep stealing your time. But the good news? You can fix this—starting today.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to set two types of boundaries that will help you take back control of your time without upsetting the people around you.

Internal Boundaries: Protecting Your Time at Home

The first group of people who need to respect your time? Yourself—and your family.

When you work from home, it’s way too easy to mix work and personal life.

Your kids walk in during Zoom calls. Your spouse asks for a ‘quick favor’ in the middle of your work session. Someone asks you to help out with a quick errand.

You break your own schedule by checking social media when you should be focused.

Internal boundaries fix this.

Step 1: Call a Family Meeting & Set Clear Work Hours

Your family needs to know when you’re working and when you’re available.

Sit them down and make it clear:

• Define your work hours. Say something like:
  “From 7am to 4pm, I am not available unless it’s an emergency. Pretend I’m not here.”
• Set workspace rules. If you don’t have a separate office, make sure family members don’t walk into your camera frame during calls. And no popping into your space for a second. 
• Lead by example. If you say you’re working until 4pm, don’t scroll your phone at 2:30. Stick to your own rules.

Action Step: Right now, take five minutes to set up time to discuss work hours with your family or roommates.

External Boundaries: Managing Your Team & Clients

The second group of people who need clear boundaries? Your team, your boss, and your clients.

If you’ve been working remotely for a while without setting expectations, it’s harder to enforce new boundaries. People are used to having constant access to you.

But that stops today.

I know this part can feel scary.

But it won't matter if your performance continues to slip from burnout, distractions and inefficiency.

Step 1: Have a Direct Conversation About Your Availability

You don’t have to be rude. But you do need to be firm.

Use a simple script like this:

“Hey [Name], I want to make sure we’re on the same page about my availability so I can be as effective as possible. I’m available from [your work hours], and outside of that, I’m fully focused on delivering results, not just responding instantly. Let’s align to ensure we’re getting everything done in the best time frames for the team.”

This sets expectations without sounding defensive. Instead, you’re positioning it as a way to do better work.

Action Step: If your work boundaries aren’t clear, schedule a check-in with your team or boss today.

Take Back Control of Your Time

Setting boundaries isn’t about shutting people out—it’s about making sure you control your schedule instead of reacting to everyone else’s.

If you follow these steps:

- Your family will know when NOT to interrupt you.
- Your team and clients will respect your work hours.
- You’ll finally have time to focus on what matters.

Now, take action.

Want a full guide on setting work-from-home boundaries?

Download my Work-From-Home Bible ebook for free.