Tame the email monster
How many emails do you receive a day? Have you ever counted? I was quite shocked when I counted the emails I receive, for the purpose of writing this blog- way too many. The amount of email you receive dictates the amount of time you spend reading, replying and categorizing the information you receive. I want to share with you three tips to tame, quiet and dissolve the email monster 
1. Categorize your email inbox
If you are like me, you subscribe to lists and receive many informational emails during the day. Since I have allotted certain hours a day to spend on email activities, I categorize what comes in. For example, emails that contain information worth reading are sent to the “read today” box. I have an hour of “studying” I do a day, so I use that time to read thru the great info I receive from colleagues and service professionals. I prioritize those as well. I begin with the real juicy ones and go from there. Anything that I cannot read within the hour gets deleted (sorry 
)
2. Identify which times of the day you will tackle the email monster
You’re probably thinking, that’s all day, right? Not quite! Please choose three to four time slots a day for inbox productivity. This means you will visit your inbox three or four times a day, not all day. You will utilize the newfound free time in other activities like networking, research, exercise. I visit my inbox first thing in the morning, at 11:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm. This may work for you depending on the amount of email you receive. Identify which times during the day you will address your inbox and visit your inbox those times only!
3. Do not do ANY email activity at night! EVER!
Here’s the thing: sleep and peaceful rest is crucial to rejuvenate the entrepreneur spirit. Reading emails before going to bed doesn’t allow for the disconnection of the business owner in you. If you read emails before going to bed just to make sure there is nothing “crucial” you need to attend to- let me ask you this: What can you possibly do in your PJs at 11:00pm for a client? If it’s truly an emergency, they need to call 911, not email you. If you attend to emails to see if anything good has taken place, like new sales of your products, allow yourself to be surprised in the morning! I understand is very tempting to press the email icon on your phone (it happens to me too), so make sure you are doing something else right before bed. I take that time to read magazines and books not pertaining to work. I also write in my gratitude journal. Some people meditate, spend quite time with their spouse or walk the dog. There are endless things you can do other than email. Take the time before going to bed to disconnect from your business and be grateful so that you are refreshed, pumped, and ready to go the next morning.
It may sound scary to create a new relationship with your email. I assure you that with steps like these above, you will tame the email monster for good and free up time to do what you want and love! Try it and tell me all about it below!
1. Categorize your email inbox
If you are like me, you subscribe to lists and receive many informational emails during the day. Since I have allotted certain hours a day to spend on email activities, I categorize what comes in. For example, emails that contain information worth reading are sent to the “read today” box. I have an hour of “studying” I do a day, so I use that time to read thru the great info I receive from colleagues and service professionals. I prioritize those as well. I begin with the real juicy ones and go from there. Anything that I cannot read within the hour gets deleted (sorry )
2. Identify which times of the day you will tackle the email monster
You’re probably thinking, that’s all day, right? Not quite! Please choose three to four time slots a day for inbox productivity. This means you will visit your inbox three or four times a day, not all day. You will utilize the newfound free time in other activities like networking, research, exercise. I visit my inbox first thing in the morning, at 11:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm. This may work for you depending on the amount of email you receive. Identify which times during the day you will address your inbox and visit your inbox those times only!
3. Do not do ANY email activity at night! EVER!
Here’s the thing: sleep and peaceful rest is crucial to rejuvenate the entrepreneur spirit. Reading emails before going to bed doesn’t allow for the disconnection of the business owner in you. If you read emails before going to bed just to make sure there is nothing “crucial” you need to attend to- let me ask you this: What can you possibly do in your PJs at 11:00pm for a client? If it’s truly an emergency, they need to call 911, not email you. If you attend to emails to see if anything good has taken place, like new sales of your products, allow yourself to be surprised in the morning! I understand is very tempting to press the email icon on your phone (it happens to me too), so make sure you are doing something else right before bed. I take that time to read magazines and books not pertaining to work. I also write in my gratitude journal. Some people meditate, spend quite time with their spouse or walk the dog. There are endless things you can do other than email. Take the time before going to bed to disconnect from your business and be grateful so that you are refreshed, pumped, and ready to go the next morning.
It may sound scary to create a new relationship with your email. I assure you that with steps like these above, you will tame the email monster for good and free up time to do what you want and love! Try it and tell me all about it below!Share and Enjoy
Great article. Agree with all points, especially the one about not looking at emails late at night when you can't do anything about anything and may only go to bed worrying. I allot an hour each morning for forums etc. but have to admit it is hard not to take sneak peeks during the day if something new comes in. I also have a piece on email etiquette that I'd like to add to the mix: http://www.all-about-becoming-a-life-coach.com/email-etiquette.html
Hi Wendy, thank you for sharing your article with us. Email etiquette is crucial if you want to build and develop relationships. Thanks!
