In the old days, keeping your in-box empty meant processing paper. Now it’s about processing electronic transmissions. How effectively you get through multiple submissions dictates your success in managing many other issues. Cleaning your electronic in-box is critical to this effort.
We’re all hit with email garbage. Texting trash is also starting to pile up as spam people figure out how to overwhelm you with useless information and offers. Sometimes it seems like too much, it we let the incoming information pile up to the point where it’s easier to throw up our hands in defeat and submit to the feeling of, “I can’t keep up!”
I argue that you can. The solution is simple. Set aside time each morning and once or twice more during the day to focus solely on cleaning out your electronic in-box. Give yourself 10 minutes. Read the subject lines. Delete anything that doesn’t pertain to your job and the functions that fall under your purview. If there is an important business focus, save that transmission until you have more time to focus on a coherent and respectable response.
If you stick to this routine, you’ll clear your mind, and focus on the more important tasks of the day. You’ll reduce your feelings of being harrowed and time-pressured. They won’t go away completely because tomorrow more stuff is coming your way. So, be prepared, take action and stay with it – keep that in-box clean. You’ll be glad you did.
We’re all hit with email garbage. Texting trash is also starting to pile up as spam people figure out how to overwhelm you with useless information and offers. Sometimes it seems like too much, it we let the incoming information pile up to the point where it’s easier to throw up our hands in defeat and submit to the feeling of, “I can’t keep up!”
I argue that you can. The solution is simple. Set aside time each morning and once or twice more during the day to focus solely on cleaning out your electronic in-box. Give yourself 10 minutes. Read the subject lines. Delete anything that doesn’t pertain to your job and the functions that fall under your purview. If there is an important business focus, save that transmission until you have more time to focus on a coherent and respectable response.
If you stick to this routine, you’ll clear your mind, and focus on the more important tasks of the day. You’ll reduce your feelings of being harrowed and time-pressured. They won’t go away completely because tomorrow more stuff is coming your way. So, be prepared, take action and stay with it – keep that in-box clean. You’ll be glad you did.