Ever feel like a slave to your email? I know I do. Maybe you, too, dream you can end your email battle and tame your inbox. Here are tools:
Stop checking
My good friend Edna Pressler reminded me of some great advice: to only check email twice a day. Think how much more effective you could be if when you sat down to work, that is what you actually got to do: work. To focus on your projects and on what it takes to move your career forward. Instead of endless volleys of emails.
The thought of checking emails twice a day sounds like a smart plan. But unfortunately, I find that much of the actual work and projects I do are done via email.
And once I’m in my inbox, I get distracted by all the messages that take me off task. I typically think, “Oh, I’ll just quickly clear up these few items,” and the next thing I know, two hours are shot.
What to do?
This is where other habits may help. Here are 5 Email Habits to Steal from the World’s Busiest People.
Question: What are your email habits? Are your days filled with distractions? Are you frittering away your time on emails and social media?
Double dare for this week: Try the twice a day email routine (and consciously set aside the time needed for this). For help, read the Time Management Ninja. And for advice on how to alert those around you that you’ll be handling email differently, check out Tim Ferris on this topic.
There’s no time like the present – you only get it once.
For info on working with me: details are HERE.
Monday Bytes archived posts are HERE.
Dream big, Plan smart, Live well!
