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A row of loose stones runs through calm water to the horizon.

INSIGHT 12 · PAUL WELLENS

Make a boundary an action. Not a repeated plea.

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A thought to pause on

A boundary only truly becomes visible through what you then consistently do.

"A boundary becomes credible through what you do after it is crossed again."
Paul Wellens

A recognisable situation

A parent repeatedly says that shouting is no longer allowed during family discussions. Yet the conversation keeps going each time someone starts shouting. The message only changes when the parent calmly says: "If we shout, we stop and continue speaking later."

A question to consider

What becomes clearer to the other person when you calmly and consistently enforce your boundary?

In plain words

A boundary is not a sentence you need to repeat often enough. It gains meaning because your behaviour becomes predictable. People then know where they stand.

The nuance

Only connect boundaries to proportional consequences. Being consistent is different from escalating.

Explanation in own words at What truly moves people and the speaker's compass. Book p. 53; speaker's compass p. 14.

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GETTING STARTED

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