One of the top complaints I get from business owners I coach is the @##$% email is driving me nuts. It never stops. I never get caught up. I’m always behind and I feel my inbox is hanging over me!
Does any of this sound like you ?
If it does here are 7 tips that will help you better control your email:
1) Lighten up ! -It’s just email. If your regular mailbox for 2-3 days in a row gets a bunch of junk mail, do you freak out ? I bet you don’t . None of us like it, but junk mail is a fact of life. So is being behind on your email !
2) Shut off the automatic download feature of your email. If you can’t do this with the service you use., switch services. Only download email when you have the time. Some people schedule time on their day planners and only download 2-3 times a day. You are in control-stay there !
3) Unsubscribe – take time and unsubscribe. You probably don’t need most of what is in your inbox. Be picky, be tough don’t waste your precious time. If it is not important to your goals and dreams –dump it ! CHALLENGE TO YOU-unsubscribe from 30 lists you are on TODAY ! That includes me ! If I don’t fit into helping you with your goals, dreams or a little enjoyment, you shouldn’t be here !
4) Delete-The delete key is your best friend. I can delete about 75 emails in one minute. I also have a rule that if an email is over 2 weeks old and I survived to tell about it, it is gone ! ( Ok, I’ll fess up, I follow this only 98 % of the time.
5) Join the club- everyone is behind on email not just you. With unread mail in your inbox, the sun still sets and will rise tomorrow morning.
6) Set specific hours to respond to email.-Put it on your daily planner. Maybe between 2 and 2:30 and 5 and 5:30. You know your schedule. Do what works best for you. Try to schedule the same hours every day. Don’t waste the hours you work your best on email. Respond to emails when you know you’ll need a little break. Some people send out memos on their email policy or have in their signature line the exact times emails will be responded to.
7) Keep focused-several experts suggest you get an auto-responder system ( I can help) that basically says, your email has been received and I will respond to it as soon as I can. Many will add an additional note that says something like-I normally respond to email within 24 hours.
It is up to you to control your schedule and your emails.
Start getting control today.
Look at the suggestions above and see what you can implement !
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