The moment I answered a client’s midnight text, I taught them something dangerous: that I was always available. At first, I thought I was being helpful — responsive, flexible, a true partner. But very quickly, I felt chained to my phone, waiting for the next “quick change” request at odd hours. For solopreneurs, this kind of expectation is unsustainable.
Why It Happens
Clients often assume solopreneurs are “always on” because we don’t have the layers of corporate structure. They confuse flexibility with availability. On the flip side, many solopreneurs (my past self included) reinforce this by responding at all hours.
Example 1: Sunday Emergency
I once had a client send me six messages on a Sunday morning about a minor formatting issue. I answered immediately, and from that day on, Sunday texts became normal. What I thought was a one-off favor turned into a recurring intrusion.
Example 2: The 2 a.m. Slack Pings
Another client added me to their team’s Slack channel. I began receiving messages at 2 a.m. because their team worked across time zones. They expected responses because “Slack is instant.” I eventually had to mute the channel, but the damage was done — they saw me as unresponsive instead of realizing the expectation was unreasonable.
How I Reset Boundaries
I had to learn that protecting my time wasn’t selfish — it was professional. Now I do the following:
- Set clear hours. My contracts and onboarding documents include working hours and typical response times.
- Use delayed send. Even if I draft a reply at night, I schedule it to send during business hours.
- Premium availability. For clients who genuinely need after-hours support, I offer it at a premium rate. That way, my time is valued, and the client chooses whether it’s worth it.
- Communicate early. If a client starts pushing boundaries, I remind them gently: “I’ll get to this first thing tomorrow during office hours.”
Interestingly, once I enforced these boundaries, most clients respected me more. The right clients want a partner who values their own time because it signals discipline and reliability.
Conclusion
24/7 availability is a trap that leads to burnout, resentment, and weakened client relationships. Solopreneurs must establish and maintain boundaries early. When availability is managed with intention, both work quality and client satisfaction improve.
