How to leave your work at the office in the age of the ubiquitous smartphone.

At the end of last year, the number of smartphones used around the world reached a colossal one billion. For businesses, the perks of technology advancements are endless. This is the case most of the time for consumers as well. However, with the world at your fingertips 24/7, it’s easy to feel like you always need to be connected — especially when starting a new job.

S0 how do you leave work at work when it follows you home every day in the form of a mobile device?

Speak up

It’s likely that the person contacting you in the evening or on weekends has no comprehension of how you spend your time outside of work. If there seems to be a common denominator when it comes to who’s seeping into your “you” time, talk to them about it! Simply ask them to hold off on sending work-related emails during non-work hours unless it’s truly urgent. Most people will understand.

Step outside yourself

Take a moment to see how others may feel about your smartphone habits. Whether it’s your friend, parent or child, no one likes the feeling that you’re prioritizing your attention to your device over them. So drop the phone and focus your attention on what really matters in that moment.

Learn to separate the importance of notifications

When you hear your phone go off, you likely go into a thought process that consists of: I wonder who that is? I wonder what it’s about? I wonder if it’s important? I wonder if I should check that? And so on. But not every alert is an urgent matter. Chances are, if it’s something truly earth-shattering, the person trying to reach you will do so by calling.

Let go of the guilt

When you don’t respond within a prompt time frame (for many people, that means immediately), you may feel like you’re slacking. The truth is, unless you’re being paid to be on the clock at all times, you’re allowed to have work-free time.