In a recent LinkedIn post, Alec Rickard shares his personal struggle with work-life balance, exacerbated by the all-encompassing nature of a single smartphone. Rickard details how his phone screen time reached an alarming 42 hours in one week, a figure that has been steadily increasing. He highlights the challenge of managing diverse notifications—from personal messages to client updates and work-related group chats—on a single device.
Rickard explains the insidious way work can encroach upon personal time when using a single phone.
“When you run a business, it’s easy for work to spill into everything else. A client checks in 1 minute before dinner. You pick your phone back up. A message arrives on a Saturday. You reply because it’ll only take a minute. An email lands at 9pm. You answer because you’re already holding your phone.”
The core of his argument, as Rickard points out, is not the work itself, but the constant accessibility that the single device affords. This perpetual connection blurs the lines between professional responsibilities and personal life, making it difficult to truly disconnect.
The Search for a Solution: Device Separation
For months, Rickard had been contemplating a solution: a separate work phone. This, he believed, would provide a dedicated space for professional communication and allow him to switch off at the end of the day. However, the financial commitment and the perceived short lifespan of high-end devices presented a significant barrier.
Rickard articulates this dilemma:
“But investing thousands on a new iPhone isn’t exactly top of the priority list. Especially when it’s likely I’ll need a new one in a year or two.”
This is where Rickard introduces Raylo Business as a viable solution. He explains that the company offers flexible device subscriptions for business, eliminating the need for substantial upfront investment. This model allows business owners to acquire a dedicated work phone without the financial strain typically associated with purchasing new high-value devices.
Implementing the Boundary
With a dedicated work phone, Rickard aims to establish a clearer boundary. His strategy involves keeping the work phone in his office during personal time, such as dinner, while using his personal phone for family and friends.
He outlines the practical benefits:
“Now work lives on one phone. Family and friends on another. At dinner, the work phone stays in my office. The personal one comes downstairs.”
Beyond the core benefit of separation, Rickard also praises Raylo’s commitment to sustainability. He notes that devices are returned, refurbished, and rehomed, ensuring that nothing sits unused. He also highlights the efficiency of the process, stating that the entire setup takes approximately 60 seconds.
A Call for Reflection
Ultimately, Alec Rickard’s post serves as a relatable account of a common challenge faced by entrepreneurs and business leaders. His experience underscores the importance of proactive boundary setting in the digital age. By sharing his personal journey and the solution he has adopted, Rickard encourages other founders to consider their own strategies for managing work-life integration.
He concludes with a question to his audience, prompting reflection on personal boundary-setting strategies:
“What boundary have you had to put in place to stop work taking over your life?”
Rickard’s insights offer a practical perspective on leveraging technology to maintain personal well-being while running a business.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Alec Rickard on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 3, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →