email overhaul

An unorganized inbox can translate into several hours of wasted time...all time that could be spent in any number of more productive ways. Writing emails should only be one of your many priorities...don't let it take over your entire day. The tricks to an organized inbox are below. Read on and take charge of your emails!

STICK TO A SCHEDULE
When you open and glance at e-mails but don’t deal with the content immediately, you lose time by having to reread the messages and make decisions again. Designate blocks of time—ideally three or four times a day—for focusing on your e-mails. Like other important communication tasks, you should respond to an e-mail as soon as you read the message. When you can’t, most programs have utilities to “flag” messages as high priority or needing further action.

THE 3 R's: READ, RESPOND, REMOVE
After opening an e-mail message:
1. Read the message entirely.
2. Respond to the e-mail (if needed).
3. Remove the message from your in-box by deleting or filing it.

After the three Rs, your in-box should only contain items you haven’t read or which require further action.

DON'T PRINT
Resist the urge to print off every e-mail you receive...this just adds to the clutter that may already cover you work station! If you want to keep the e-mail for latter reference, file it right in one of your folders within your email account (all email accounts offer files).

Follow these steps every time you deal with daily emails and eventually, your ultimate goal of an empty inbox will be achieved! Yes...this is possible and it feels great!

For more organizing tips, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com