The Boundary Boss Workbook: The Right Words and Strategies to Free Yourself from Burnout, Exhaustion, and Over-Giving

by Terri Cole

From boundary expert Terri Cole comes an empowering workbook featuring a wide variety of new practices, exercises, and encouragement.

Our culture is finally recognizing the importance of mental health and the liberating power of boundary setting. But were you ever taught exactly how to set healthy boundaries? Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it out for yourself. Following on the runaway success of her book Boundary Boss , Terri Cole presents a practice-packed journal to help you establish the robust boundaries that are essential for an empowered and deeply satisfying life.

The Boundary Boss Workbook greatly expands on the transformational tools Cole introduced in her debut book. You’ll start with the essential truths about boundaries and how they operate, then dive straight into potent exercises for setting healthy limits, raising your emotional intelligence, and establishing new rules for relationships in your life. Cole shares a cornucopia of interactive experiences to enrich your self-care journey—including assessments, scripts, mindfulness, embodiment, gratitude, celebration, and more.

Boundary work takes intention and commitment—but the results are worth it. “Drawing healthy boundaries is one of the highest expressions of self-love,” says Cole. “When you do, every part of your life will blossom. You’ll become more empowered in all your relationships—especially the one you have with yourself.”

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Relationships

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2023

About the author

I’m a global empowerment and relationship expert with a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable.

My mission is to teach you how to attain and
sustain vibrant mental health and become
empowered in all of your relationships…

Starting with the one you have with yourself.

Reviews

[Erin Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sceptical when I decided to read this but I thought, "can't hurt, maybe I'll learn something." I'm delighted to report, I did learn something, a lot of somethings.

I found this book to be incredibly helpful, and quite insightful. As someone that has issues setting boundaries, it was eye opening. Setting boundaries is definitely an issue with which many people struggle. I related to this in a new level and was inspired to rethink my approach to many aspects of my life. Anyone with poor boundaries will read the book can be inspired to approach interpersonal challenges with a better understanding of themselves and hopefully learn how to better handle themselves.

"Boundary Boss" is written in a friendly, conversational style that is easy to digest.. While I could have done without some of the trash talk, it didn't really take away from the message. I found it unnecessary and that is my only negative comment.

Despite that, this book addresses how many women struggle to set boundaries, and outlines practical steps and exercises on how to challenge your boundaries in all aspects of your life: whether you have set for yourself with others, or other people have pressed upon you.

Terri Cole is a psychotherapist who has dealt with personal experience of boundary issues herself and now helps her clients with their own boundary issues.

I thought I had a handle on setting boundaries, but after reading this I can do better for my own self preservation. Other readers may respond similarly It can help reveal where you may need help and how to approach it.

I've already started to apply this to my life and I'm happy with the results. The exercises really helped.

I highly recommend this book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @soundstrue for the review copy of The Boundary Boss Workbook by Terri Cole.

Have you ever had problems saying no when you are asked to do things? I know I have this problem. I love to help and like to give my time helping others or trying to put in 110% at work. At times though, I have found I have to say no. Unfortunately, when those times come, people seem to act with disbelief that I will not donate my time to them anymore instead of grateful for what I have given of myself through the years. When I had the opportunity to review The Boundary Boss Workbook with its tag line of “the right words and strategies to free yourself from burnout, exhaustion, and over-giving” I knew it was the book for me.

I read the “dear reader” section and “how to use this workbook” and I thought the author was speaking directly to me. There are great worksheets and scripts to help you work through your interactions and learn how to set your boundaries. I have started to listen to the Boundary Boss by Terri Cole on audiobook and I am going to use this workbook to work through my communications to start setting healthy boundaries. I love it!

This workbook includes:
• The importance of boundaries and how they affect every part of your life
• Self-assessment quizzes to identify your preferences, desires, limits, and deal-breakers
• Your self-care tool kit―meditations, reflections, and empowering practices
• Getting proactive―how to anticipate and prepare for boundary-setting situations
• Boundary scripts―creating the right words in your own voice for asserting boundaries
• Internal boundary practices to shift your self-talk, habits, and unconscious behavior
• Establishing and upholding new rules for healthy, authentic, and lasting relationships

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2023...

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting boundaries is a vital skill for maintaining healthy relationships and preserving emotional and mental well-being. The Boundary Boss Workbook by Terri Cole offers a practical approach to help readers master this skill through guided exercises and actionable advice.

For someone already familiar with the concept of boundaries, the material wasn’t entirely new to me. However, I found the workbook immensely practical and helpful in refining my understanding and applying it more effectively in real-life situations. The tone of the book is encouraging and empowering, making it a great resource for anyone seeking clarity on how to navigate boundary-setting in different areas of life. I’m confident that for someone just beginning their journey into this transformative work, this book will be incredibly valuable and impactful.

The workbook is thoughtfully structured into three main sections: Get Ready, Get Set, and Go. This organization provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap for building boundary-setting skills. At the beginning of the book, readers are invited to complete an insightful questionnaire assessing their current boundary-setting habits. At the end, the same test allows readers to reflect on their progress and growth. Each section of the workbook concludes with prompts for reflection, offering space to process and internalize the material. Additionally, the workbook is filled with exercises and ample space for jotting down thoughts and reflections, making it an interactive and hands-on resource. The inclusion of bonus content at the end—featuring practical phrases tailored for various boundary-setting scenarios—is a particularly helpful tool, equipping readers with confidence and clarity in everyday interactions.

Overall, this workbook is a well-structured, supportive, and practical tool for anyone interested in creating a more balanced and fulfilling life through healthy boundaries.

Thank you to the publisher, Sounds True, and Terri Cole for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Markie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting boundaries is an important aspect of maintaining healthy relationships and protecting our personal well-being. This workbook provides a structured approach to help you set boundaries effectively. Here are some additional points to consider:
Defining your boundaries can be difficult, especially if you are not used to prioritizing your own needs. The first section of the workbook provides guidance on how to identify your boundaries and understand why they are important to you.
It is common to face resistance or pushback when setting boundaries. The second section of the workbook helps you anticipate potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. This includes dealing with guilt, managing difficult conversations, and responding to boundary violations.
Practice makes perfect, and the third section of the workbook is designed to help you put your boundary setting skills into action. You will have the opportunity to role-play different scenarios and practice responding assertively.
Everyone has a unique communication style, and it's important to find a boundary setting script that works for you. The fourth section of the workbook provides a variety of scripts to choose from, based on your natural style. This includes scripts for saying no, expressing your emotions, and setting consequences.
Finally, the sample scripts provided at the back of the book offer additional guidance and inspiration. These scripts are designed to be adaptable to a variety of situations and can help you feel more confident and prepared when setting boundaries.
Overall, this workbook is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their boundary setting skills and enhance their relationships.

[MyTurn.Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 30% into this workbook. (I'll update the review when I'm finished)

So far it is:
- very well structured
- accessible to anyone through clear and simple language. All key terms are defined and nothing is assumed.
- definitely a work book. The text sections are short and always include a quiz, reflection question or journal prompt.
- not overwhelming

Be ready to get writing if you pick this up!!
I've read another book on boundaries and have completed Teri Cole's guided meditations on Insight timer on this topic (and have done therapy) and I have found the workbook has brought a more clear understanding of, and my challenges with, setting boundaries.

Negatives? Not much.
- Someone who has spent a lot of time on this area may find the first sections too basic. However new questions and new ways of looking at a topic can be very helpful in my opinion.
- One section so far has been quite broad which made it difficult to engage in the topic.

Happy release day!
I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boundaries are a popular topic these days and we are in no short supply of content about the skill many of us were never taught. From books, workbooks, and Instagram accounts filled with practical advice on the best ways to tell people what we need, one might think "The Boundary Boss Workbook" is just another resource in a large pile. But you'd be missing Terri Cole's greatest strengths in her teachings about boundaries - her no-nonsense and empowering attitude - if you skipped this.

Packed with checklists, self-reflection activities, and what many readers are arguably most interested in: scripts to communicate boundaries. Even if you've read Cole's Boundary Boss book, this is a great companion recommended to all hoping to learn about themselves, build healthy relationships, and practice boundaries.

Thanks to Sounds True Publishing for a copy via NetGalley.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I definitely have porous boundaries. I'm an oversharerr thst and invest myself in the problems of others. I found the book helpful, and it has many activities to help the reader explore their boundaries or lack thereof and get to know why they are working for you (of not).

It's a solid workbook, and I recommend it.

[Hillary Bort · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked out the audiobook from the Libby app. I’ve never read the Boundary Boss book, nor heard of the author, but I found her an expert at generating concrete advice regarding boundaries and help for aspects of codependency. I would actually journal using her prompts if I had a hard copy of this workbook.

[Mikey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book. Learned a lot. Thank you.

[Michaeline Perry]

Having read a little bit of this book, I have decided it is not for me and I am DNFing. It has been donated.

(I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest review.)