How to work without email?

I remembered in year 2000, my company did not have personal email for employees. Only one company email account, using the 56k modem. Working life back then was way easier than nowadays.

Emails received were mainly enquiries email or some small customer document. We usually talk to the customer through phone, go to their place for discussion and take the documents. We received orders in office via meeting, memo. Most of the time, employee concentrate on their work, instead of making communication. Back then, handphone was not common either. You don't expect somebody to call you during the lunch.

Looking at current time! Everybody is having a individual company email. Bosses giving instruction through email. Customer make request through email. Just because everyone send out the mail instantly, they expect instant action. Without thinking that the poor employee has other concurrent things on hand also. Then, I discover most of my time is spent on checking email, coordinate things, try to clarify problems that were able to be solved through face to face meeting.

We have multiple channel of communication now. If customer can't get instant reply on email, they call you, they sms you. You can enjoy your lunch, you cannot sit on sofa to watch tv. Even if you are in meeting and does not take phone call, they send you sms.

Give me a chance. I would like time to roll back to where it was.