Simplify Your Life: Regain Control Over Your Inbox

By Jessica Hoelzel

In my last post, I wrote about simplifying your life according to what really matters to you. With so many distractions, and information coming at us from all angles, we absolutely must consistently check in with ourselves to see whether what we are doing, how we are living and working, is based upon our authentic desires. Are we making choices that serve us on a physical, mental, spiritual level? Are those choices in line with our definitions of work/life balance, supporting us in achieving business and personal success?

At a networking lunch & learn today, the speaker, Tony Signorelli asked the group what they thought the biggest time-waster was. The overwhelming response was right on – email. Let me ask you, do you find hours and hours of your time each day or each week spent on emails? Checking email, getting distracted by new emails, trying to organize email or find something in your email? If email is way old-school for you, does the same ring true for managing text or instant messages? Be really honest with yourself about how much time is actually taken up. If you haven’t a clue, take tomorrow to log it.

Tony’s “New Rules for Self Employment”, found on his website, include time management strategies, and his advice (specifically for small business owners, but applicable to many) is similar to mine (found below). One thing I haven’t added to my list, though, is his idea to hire a Virtual Assistant to delegate email filtering to. If you want to know more about that, he’s got plenty of info on his website.

It's one thing to feel overwhelmed by the stacks of actual paper on your desk, but with flooded inboxes as well, how does one stay focused, like I heard Tony say today, on the things that really matter, the things that make you productive?

Here's some of my advice. (Adapted from an article printed in the Blaine Spring Lake Park Life)



The 1st of my 5 Tips for Proactively Managing Email:


1. Set limits around checking email. Also disable the pop-up feature to eliminate distractions and temptation. (Do this for Instant Messaging too!) Interruptions decrease efficiency because the mind has to change focus several times, which is also draining.

And…stay tuned for the next tips. You’re on your way to creating your life and work according to what really matters to you.

If YOU have tips to share, please click below to Post a Comment.