The smartphone offers so much convenience for entrepreneurs, but it also impinges upon a good work-life balance.

Here are some strategies I've implemented that have helped make my smartphone less of a distraction:

Set a usage schedule: While this can be tricky because most of us are practically running our businesses from our smartphones, it is possible. I created an alert on my smartphone that tells me when it is time to step away from it and avoid using texts, social media, email and browsing.

Establish technology-free days or vacations: I designate a day or two each month when I put down my smartphone for the entire day, or for designated days during vacation with my family. This ensures I spend quality time with my wife and daughter, friends and family.

Ban smartphones from certain activities: My staff knows that when we do our daily walks together, smartphones are to be left in the office. If I'm out with my daughter on a stroll, I also leave my phone at home and focus on her. These activities deserve your full attention and are the types of things that really create that work-life balance.

Put it out of sight so it's out of mind: When it's close to bedtime, I keep my phone far away. At work, I like to put it in a drawer or leave it in my pocket. It helps control my urge to pick it up and check my notifications.

Work toward weaning yourself from your phone: I didn't immediately take an entire day or two off from technology but had to essentially wean myself from using my smartphone as much as I was. I started by taking one less hour a day and gradually adding more time to what I was spending on other things in order to replace the smartphone usage.

Stay busy with more important things: Once I focused on activities with my friends and family as well as handling work processes that didn't require my smartphone, I didn't miss the once-treasured device as much as I thought I would.

Recognize its place: I see my phone as a tool to pull out when I need to fix something or make an improvement. Otherwise, it goes back in the toolbox.

John Rampton is the founder of Due,

a free online invoicing company.