Teach the people in your life how to interact with you.

Put a message on your email notifying people that you only check periodically, and what they should do if they have an urgent or time-sensitive issue. For example, “I only check email periodically. If your issue is urgent or time-sensitive, please call me at XXX.”
Check out Google Voice as an alternative to giving out your personal cell number to work contacts. More information and guidelines here: https://maurathomas.com/productivity/work-life-balance-secret-weapon/
If you are an individual contributor at your organization, discuss expectations of availability with your boss. For example, are you expected to check email evenings, weekends, when you are on vacation?
If you are the boss, stop sending emails to your team during evenings, weekends, and when you’re on vacation. And stop answering theirs. Tell them if there is an issue that can’t wait, they should call you.
Identify a decision tree for communication, and share it with colleagues. For example: routine communication: send an email or leave a voicemail. Time sensitive communication (i.e., can you join us in the meeting in 30 minutes?): send a text. Urgent communication (i.e., I really need to speak with you now): Call, and call back immediately if I don’t answer. If I still don’t answer, call (main number) and ask them to find me.
If you’re the boss, identify the same decision tree for customers, decide how to educate customers. (I.e., post it on your website, add it to everyone’s email signature, etc.)

Carolyn Celis

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