Time Management Strategy: How to Deal with Email

June 30, 2009 by Debbie Turner
Filed under Time Management

When considering time management strategies, Email is the biggest thief of our most precious commodity . . . time. Well, maybe not if you’re a Twitter or Facebook addict, but let’s be real. Our email has been known for sucking every last available minute we have to spend with our family, be productive in our work, distract us from focusing on what we originally sat down at the computer to do, etc. You know the drill.

This can be especially detrimental to the individual who committed to building an online business.

To put this thief where it belongs, here are some definate action steps you can take to almost competely eliminate the email problem. I wrote another article on this very topic here.

1) Unsubscribe from EVERYTHING that is not moving your business forward.

2) If you are following a marketer to see how they market, then set up a folder for those emails and set up a rule that tells your email service, “when I get an email from xyz person, automatically place it in xyz folder.” This way, you continue to receive the emails, however, they are filed neatly and they are there anytime you are ready to utilize them.

3) Set up a “swipe file“ and use it. Don’t let stuff sit in your inbox.

4) Keep a folder in your email for all your receipts which make it handy for keeping track come tax time.

5) You can also notify your friends to contact you via Twitter or Facebook because you are now using your email for business. Most will be happy to do so.

Setting up rules is really the best way to manage email. It just keeps your email office tidy and organized. It’s like having a secretary that does your filing.

I hope this helps. It did for me. If you have any thoughts, comments and suggestions, please, please leave them here. Everyone can benefit from your great tips and strategies for this problem. I’m sure I’ve missed a few great tips.