JoeBailey.ORG

Yes, we’ve all heard the 80/20 rule. In this case, we’ll approach email. The approach, only check email at 11AM and 4PM. Results, I’ve saved a ton of time. Granted, it’s extremely hard to do, it’s like an addiction. Here are some tips on how to save time with your email:

• Set an auto-reminder letting people know you only respond at certain times. If they really need to reach you, have them call. Chances are they won’t call.
• Delete all spam and miscellaneous emails without even looking at them.
• Clean your inbox every time you go in there. This eliminates the excuse to go into your email and check a task… then checking for new emails.
• If you have a task based on an email, put that task in your to do list categorized by the Covey Quadrant. Chances are the task from that email is not important an can be handled at another time.
• Turn off the bell for Outlook, or close Outlook until the right times.
• Hide the BlackBerry. Just keeping it in front of me was still too tempting. Put it in the desk drawer and out of site.
• Calculate the amount of time you save. I guarantee you’ll save at least an hour.