Are you drowning in a sea of unread emails? Does your inbox feel like a never-ending game of Hungry Hungry Hippos?
You’re not alone. Many business leaders struggle with keeping their emails under control, and as we become more digitally heavy it seems like it just. keeps. growing.
I’ve got five straightforward tips so you can tame your inbox and reclaim your productivity badge.
1. Set aside time for your inbox management
Instead of letting emails interrupt your day, schedule specific times to check and respond to them. This could be first thing in the morning, right after lunch, or before you wrap up for the day. By batching your email time, you’ll stay focused on other tasks without the constant distraction of incoming messages.
2. Use folders and labels
Create folders or labels for different types of emails.
eg: you might have a folder for client inquiries, one for newsletters, and another for finance. This helps you quickly find what you need and keeps your inbox less cluttered. The key is to keep it simple; too many folders can be just as overwhelming as none at all.
3. Don’t be afraid to unsubscribe
Let’s be honest, do you really read all those newsletters you’re subscribed to? Probably not. Move them into that Newsletters folder, then take a few minutes to unsubscribe from the ones that don’t add value to your life or work at the end of each week. If you haven’t read them in this time, chances are you’re probably not going to.
Your future self will thank you for the cleaner inbox and fewer distractions.
4. Welcome in the power of rules and filters
Most email services allow you to set up rules or filters that automatically sort incoming emails. You can direct emails from specific senders to designated folders, mark them as important, or even delete them if they’re not needed. Automating these actions can save you a tonne of time and keep your inbox neat and tidy.
5. Practice the ‘Two-Minute Rule’
When you’re in your email-batching-zone, if an email takes less than two minutes to read and reply to, do it right away. This practice prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming a big headache later on. For emails that require more time, schedule them into your calendar so you can address them without forgetting.
These simple tips will help you notice a significant improvement in how you manage your email inbox. It’s all about creating a system that works for you (then creating the habit, and sticking to it).
I’d love to know how you keep your inbox overwhelm at bay – let me know 🙂