Do you know your non-negotiables? The things in life, business and your career that you won’t move on. Knowing these aspects of your life that you won’t move on are so useful when it comes to creating a career you enjoy. It allows you to verbalise and communicate what you want, and ultimately, what you do not want. This is particularly relevant when you are making changes in your career- from moving roles, changing your working hours to launching your own business. Let me share with you how to craft your career non-negotiables.
First, I thought it would be useful to share some earlier articles that can help you name and communicate your boundaries. Then, I will let you know four very clear non-negotiables I have. Expressing these so clearly may help you focus and share yours!
As anyone who has worked with me on a 1:1 basis, you will understand how much importance I put on identifying and understanding your values. Very simply, by understanding my values I can see what is important about my version of a career to enjoy: what is important about the way I live and how I earn my money. To find out more about yours read these eight questions to help uncover your values.
Once you understand what is important to you, you can develop an idea of what is non-negotiable. The situations, people and decisions that won’t add value to your life. These become your boundaries. Looking at ALL the areas of your life is important, which I cover in the blog titled “How to craft your boundaries.”
Taking action on your boundaries is the thing that most people struggle with and is a regular conversation within the work that I do. As you can imagine, I have many thoughts about this, but today wanted to give you another perspective and share a recent personal development book club review. The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban gives you an introduction to communicating your boundaries – both in advance and in the moment!
So, now over to my business boundaries. I want to encourage you to be just specific as you can be; you don’t have to justify your boundaries and non-negotiables with others ( as we know, “No” is a complete sentence” ) However, being able to explain YOUR WHY helps you feel stronger in the application of the boundary.
Whilst I specialise in supporting parents with their careers and return to work, I am not exclusive to only parents or parents to be; should someone feel like they engage with my style, then I will always help them! However, I was recently asked, “Are there any clients you won’t work with?” I thought this was a very insightful question, so here are my non-negotiables.
Simply, I do not work with:
- Someone who doesn’t want to work with me!
Whilst I work with a range of organisations to support their team through 1:1 coaching and well-being workshops, it is not compulsory. If a person doesn’t want to be coached, it simply won’t work.
- A person that needs more specialist support.
Whilst I am a trained Mental Health First Aider, I am not in a position to support those that need counselling. Should I feel that the person needs more support, I will tell you. Likewise, I will pause any coaching support should someone need to focus on another area of their life.
- Someone who must borrow money to pay me.
Simply, I don’t accept credit cards, and I won’t encourage anyone to go into debt to work with me. I have a sliding scale of fees for corporate, and individual, as well as free support through my blog to make it accessible for all.
- An organization whose values and ethics don’t align with mine.
I have a very defined way of working, and what I want my impact to be. Should I feel like that organization doesn’t align with that, I won’t work with them.
All of this helps me create my version of a career to enjoy. Do you know your non-negotiables?
If you would like to join a supportive group working to create their version of a Career to Enjoy not Endure, we would love to see you in my Facebook Group.
If you are interested in finding out more about my 1:1 coaching and workshops, you can see more here, or book a call to discuss your needs.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
