8 Ways to Use Tech to Maintain Clear Boundaries with Clients
(This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something after clicking on a link, I may earn a commission)Technology, especially our phones, often gets a bad rap. But the truth is, the problem isn’t the tech itself—it’s how we use it. When leveraged effectively, technology can be an incredible tool to help us set and maintain clear boundaries, particularly when running a business.
As self-employed professionals, it can be difficult to switch off at the end of the day. It’s not just about our own discipline; clients can also overstep boundaries, even unintentionally. A late-night message saying, “Ignore this until tomorrow…” can still plant a seed in your mind, making it hard to truly disconnect.
The good news? Tech can help you take back control. Here are eight ways to use it to ensure your boundaries remain rock solid.
1. Set Up an Always-On Out of Office Reply
Most people only use out-of-office messages when they’re on holiday, but I’ve found that having one in place all the time is a game-changer. Whenever someone emails me, they receive an automatic response outlining:
My expected response time
How they can book a call with me
My office hours
Upcoming holidays or school breaks
This way, I can switch off my inbox without guilt, knowing I’ve managed expectations and provided next steps. You can also set up autoresponders for social media messaging platforms.
How to set it up: Gmail or Outlook
2. Remove Work Emails from Your Phone
This one is simple but powerful. I keep my work and personal email addresses separate, and I never have my work email on my phone. This means I can only check work emails when I’m logged into my computer, making it much easier to maintain boundaries. If I need access outside my usual office setup, I can enable it temporarily.
How to turn email accounts on/off: iPhone or Android
3. Schedule Emails to Send During Work Hours
If you’re working outside your regular hours—perhaps catching up on a Sunday morning—it’s tempting to fire off emails immediately. But doing so sets a precedent that you’re available 24/7. Instead, use the Send Later feature in your email app.
I use Apple Mail’s scheduled send option so emails go out at 9 AM the next workday. Gmail, Outlook, and Dubsado also have scheduling features, ensuring no emails are sent outside business hours, even automated ones.
How to delay sending emails: Gmail, Outlook or Apple Mail
4. Block Off Your Calendar—Including Personal Time
Your calendar should reflect not only your work commitments but also personal priorities like lunch, exercise, and family time. Both Outlook and Google Calendar allow you to:
Set work hours and auto-decline out-of-hours meetings
Block time for personal tasks
Add out-of-office entries to prevent last-minute bookings
How to set work hours: Google or Outlook
5. Use Focus Mode on Your Devices
Apple’s Focus Mode (and similar features on Android) allows you to control which apps and contacts can reach you at certain times. I’ve set up different focus modes for:
Work – Blocks personal distractions while allowing business calls and emails.
Deep Work – No notifications except from specific contacts.
Personal Time – Work-related notifications are silenced.
This helps me stay present in the moment, whether I’m working or unwinding.
How to set up Focus Mode: iPhone or Android
6. Separate Work and Personal Calls
Instead of carrying two phones, I use an eSIM to create a separate work number on my existing device. My personal number is now exclusively for family and friends, while my business number is linked to WhatsApp Business, which allows me to:
Set an auto-responder for after-hours messages
Mute notifications outside work hours
Keep work and personal messages separate
My eSIM plan costs just £6/month from GiffGaff, making this an affordable and effective boundary-setting tool.
7. Turn Off Read Receipts
If you struggle with the urge to respond immediately when you see a message, disabling read receipts can help. That way, even if you accidentally open a client’s message, they won’t know you’ve read it, reducing any pressure to reply instantly.
How to turn off read receipts: WhatsApp or iMessage
8. Remove Social Media/Messaging Apps from Your Phone
This might seem extreme, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications, consider deleting social media apps from your phone. This reduces the number of ways clients can contact you and forces you to check messages only during designated work hours on your computer.
If deleting the apps feels too drastic, at least disable notifications or use Focus Mode to silence them outside work hours.
By using tech intentionally, you can create clear, stress-free boundaries that allow you to be more present—both in your work and personal life. Try implementing just a few of these strategies, and you’ll notice a significant difference in how you manage your time and energy.
Which of these boundary-setting tips will you try first?
