To help you jump start the new year, we’re posting thirty-one technology and business treats, one for each day of January.
Professional organizers will tell you that clutter is distracting and actually hinders productivity. We’re not going to attack all clutter, just the clutter in your email inbox. If your inbox is empty or only contains current emails that you are managing, you get a reprieve!
For the rest of you, it’s time to start the year with a clean, controlled inbox! I’m not going to get into how to manage your inbox. Today’s task is to clean it out!
1. Get rid of any unread newsletters. Are you really going to read them? No. So just delete them.
2. Get rid of all of those forwarded emails your mother and bored friends send. Do it.
3. Skim the threads of emails related to job-related tasks and/or projects. Is the task or project completed? Unless you need it for CYA, delete. If you really must keep it, put it in a folder clearly labeled. Flag it if it still requires an action and get it done.
4. Anything left? Email, like bills, are usually time sensitive. If it’s older than one week, consider it expired and delete. IF there was something left to do with that particular email, you’ll probably get another one!
Ah, a cleaned out email box. Not so overwhelming or daunting when you open it! Smile.
Linda finally let her inner geek emerge. She crafted her writing style getting her sermons to 8 minutes. Guess what she did for lots of years in a prior life?