Ever avoided someone who always seems to want your time?

Sometimes a team member brings something to you – and it’s not the right time.

So you say, “Let’s talk later.”

But here’s the part we don’t say out loud:

“I might not follow through.

Not because I don’t care –

but because I just don’t want a further conversation with you.”

Maybe that person takes up a lot of space. Maybe conversations with them feel circular, overwhelming, or draining.

So you quietly hope they’ll forget. They don’t. And the relationship pays a quiet toll.

🌱 Here’s a better way to handle it:

1. Set a clear, specific time.

“Let’s talk after lunch – I’ll block 15 minutes for us at 2:30.”

(Same day if you can. People often need to know they’ll be heard – especially the ones who are always seeking your time.)

2. Be realistic – and agree together on how the time will be used.

“Would it help if we used that time to understand what’s going on – not to solve everything at once?”

A shared frame helps both of you stay grounded.

3. Take responsibility for finding a place and for showing up.

Don’t wait for them to remind you.

💡 And if you find yourself always avoiding follow-through with the same person, ask yourself:

“Sure, this is about them – they are someone who tends to talk a lot and want to be heard. But what’s my part in it? Is some of this about how I feel in those conversations?”

“What boundaries could help me show up with more presence and less avoidance?”

Boundaries aren’t about closing people out. They’re about creating structure – so you can stay in connection.

💭 Final thought: If you say “Let’s talk later,” then make sure that you make 'later' happen. Even 10 minutes of being truly seen and heard can make a world of difference.