Email Inbox Overwhelm
If you are like most of us you’ve got a few too many emails sitting in your inbox waiting for you to deal with them. It can be difficult, you need to time and you have to make decisions. Lots of times it is easier to leave the email in the inbox as a reminder. But that means hundreds (even thousands) of emails in your inbox. So I thought some simple tips for home and office email might be helpful. Ready? For this week’s challenge try setting your timer for 18 minutes and weeding the email. I want you to read AND ACT on the email, not just read the email. It’s easy to read the email; acting on it is more difficult. But work in small blocks of time and make choices about the emails: KEEP (in a folder not your inbox)
DELETE
FLAG AS SPAM
REPLY/ACT Try you hardest to not print the emails! That just makes for more paper clutter. Instead if you need to save it put it in a folder or copy cut and paste it into a word document you can then save. Here are some helpful tips no matter which email service you use: 1. Reply to anyone who sends you the broadcast emails like the joke of the day and ask him or her to remove your email address until you can get your inbox under control 2. Whenever you can use the phone, if you can say it in a phone call opt for that eliminating an email 3. Use the subject line to relate to something in the message so you can find the one you need instead of reading them all because the subject line are generic 4. Try opening a second account that you do not plan on checking often. Use it for the purpose of registrations on website or for order confirmations. Reserve your personal email for friends and family. 5. Save a copy of important emails in your sent box so if the recipient does not receive the email you can resend it instead of rewriting it. Now, depending on which email service you use you may or may not have the option of these tips, use the ones you can, they all help: 1. Color-code your incoming emails. Choose three colors and assign them specific senders so when you see that color you’ll automatically know who it is from. 2. Set up folders within your inbox to as a place to save emails instead of keeping them all in your inbox. 3. Sort the emails by sender so all of the emails from a specific sender will be grouped together. The very best tip is to consistently set aside (daily or weekly) to deal with the email. Not just read them but to act on them. You don’t need a lot of time; you just need to do it consistently. Good luck with this challenge, I know you can do it. Life is simpler when your inbox is empty (or close to empty.) Until next Monday have a clutter-free week, Jamie PS If you have a serious backlog don’t; panic, instead work in small blocks of time to deal with a few at a time.
Featured Service of Product of the Month
This month I want to highlight another helpful product: the Car Trunk Organizer. With all the holiday shopping now underway this is especially helpful. But it also works year-round! Eliminates clutter, keeps items from rolling around in the car. Over sized top zips closed. Three mesh pockets on front of bag. Attaches to most carpeted floors with hook attachment strips. Easily collapses for storage under seat or side cargo pocket storage.
An easy way to keep bags of groceries upright! No more spilled shopping bags - your car trunk or vehicle floor will stay tidy with this helpful auto organizer. The folding cargo bag eliminates clutter and prevents items from rolling around in the back of your automobile. Over sized top zips closed for additional security. Three outer mesh pockets allow easy access to maps, tissues, etc. Attaches to most carpeted floors with velcro attachment strips. When not in use, this collapsible car trunk organizer easily folds away for storage under your car seat or in a side cargo pocket. Dimensions: 23-1/2"L x 13-3/4"W x 12-1/2"H. $30.
See a photo *Share this email* Who do you know that needs this tip? Send it to them now. They will thank you for it. *READ THE CLUTTER CHALLENGE ARCHIVES* Did you miss last week's edition? Don't miss any of the great tips, click here for the archives
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