In a previous post on time management, I promised I would post tips on time management occasionally.
One of the biggest issues for many people is their email, particularly their In Box, and I’m no exception.
So rather than having an ever increasing list of emails to read and action, that you know is already way out of control, what can you do?
- Don’t read every email as soon as it arrives in your in box – in fact, turn off the instant notification. Set specific times during the day to read email and then switch it off so you can focus on other work. Email is hugely distracting to most people.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters you know you never read
- Unsubscribe from unsolicited emails to reduce your spam
- Set up rules so when emails arrive from specific sources they go into a separate folder
- Flag emails for follow-up/action by a specified date
- Action emails immediately – this isn’t always possible but if a reply can be made quickly such as a date for a meeting then reply straight away. These are the sort of emails that can easily be overlooked and you only realise you haven’t replied when you are reminded!
- Delegate – are you really the right person for responding to that email? If not direct the sender to the person best suited for the task.
- Make the most of your smart phone. If you have email access on your mobile phone make the most of a spare few minutes during the day to work through emails and clear them out of your in box.
- Clear your inbox regularly – set aside time ideally every day, but if not at least once per week to purge your inbox. Delete old emails, file emails that have been actioned, and respond to any that may have been overlooked.