Noise: The productivity culture celebrates responsiveness as a virtue, drowning out evidence that boundaries actually strengthen relationships and performance. The productivity culture celebrates responsiveness as a virtue, drowning out evidence that boundaries actually strengthen relationships and performance. Direct Message: When you stop being available 24/7, people begin treating your time and presence as something worth protecting. When you first stop being constantly available, you may experience anxiety, guilt, or fear of missing out. The shift that occurs when you stop being available 24/7 won’t announce itself dramatically.