When we talk about a lack of work-life balance, stress, or burnout, one of the things we’re actually saying to ourselves is that we feel we have no control over the outcome or our future. It can feel like the line between work and life has blurred into one big, overwhelming blob.

It’s time for a reframe, called intentional inflexibility. See why it works.

Understanding intentional inflexibility

At its core, intentional inflexibility involves deliberately setting firm boundaries around crucial aspects of your life that you deem most important. You stick with those boundaries in the face of distractions, diversions, or demands that threaten to encroach upon them.

Here are some ways you can incorporate intentional inflexibility in your life.

At work

Set clear work hours. Establish specific work hours and stick to them. If you planned to be done every day at 6 p.m., be done every day at 6 p.m. This helps define a boundary between your professional and personal life, allowing for better balance.

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