Unspoken expectations are the #1 silent killer of peace.
People will always fill the vacuum with their own assumptions (usually “answer me right now”) unless you clearly tell them otherwise.
Here’s the simple, repeatable system that protects your time and your relationships:
Decide your real windows
Email: 24–72 hours
DMs/Slack/WhatsApp/voice notes: 4–12 hours (or “business hours only”)
Project comments (Notion, Asana, ClickUp): end-of-day or next business day
Pick numbers you can actually live with 99 % of the time.
Say it out loud – early and often
New clients/friends/colleagues: set it on the very first call or in the welcome email.
Existing people: send one calm message – “Just clarifying how I handle messages so we stay on the same page…”
Put it in your email signature, Slack status, and WhatsApp bio.
Stick to the window like your peace depends on it (because it does)
Replying in 5 minutes resets their expectation to 5 minutes forever.
Train them once with consistency and the pressure disappears.
Use auto-tools so you don’t have to police yourself
Email auto-responder: “I answer emails once per day, within 48 hours.”
Slack/WhatsApp status: “Replies 9–5, M–F 🚀”
Focus mode + scheduled send for anything urgent on your end.
Clear boundaries aren’t rude – they’re loving. They free you to serve people well instead of resenting the ping-ping-ping.
Scripture says it best: “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” When people know exactly what to expect from you, trust grows and stress melts away.
Pick one channel today (email, Slack, DMs) and set your expectation right now.
Then leave a comment and tell me which one you just updated.