[See also the tag Email on this blog for other tips on managing email.]
This piece by Jeff Weiner via Lifehacker -- I wholeheartedly agree with this approach! Do these seven things to make email work for you, versus the other way around.
Seven Ways to Manage Email So It Doesn't Manage You
I'm always struck by the number of people who complain about the amount of email they receive and how much they despise their inbox—not because their complaints aren't valid but because my own view couldn't be more different.
By design, my inbox has essentially become the central hub of my workflow—it's the way I routinely communicate and exchange information with our 4,300+ employees operating in 26 cities around the world. That's not to say I've always been a fan of email, or that I haven't had my own Sisyphean inbox experiences. However, over the years I've developed several practical guidelines that have enabled me to manage my inbox effectively and ensure it's not managing me.
See the link for the full list.
- Send less email to start with.
- Triage your inbox and tag/star/etc. messages for attention.
- Establish a routine. I think this is the most important tactic for manging your email.
- Be precise with your words.
- Be precise and intentional with your To: and Cc:
- Acknowledge receipt.
- Take combustible stuff offline.