Cracking the code for managing your email feels like winning the lottery. Unfortunately, I've only personally experienced one of these phenomena. Hopefully, after completing this learning path, you can join me and discover the best way to organize your email for efficiency.
So, what's my secret? INBOX ZERO! Although it does not work for everyone, 'Inbox Zero' is a goal for many of us who want some fresh air when we begin our work day. The many emails that greet us at the top of the morning (or evening, whenever you begin) can feel suffocating and often can stifle creativity. It is challenging to think and create when you are endlessly sifting through advertisements and, worse even, work emails you are obliged to respond to.
Do yourself a favor, take this learning path and see what the hype is all about...then try it for yourself. Why not?
Inbox "Zero": Organizing for Efficiency
Merlin Mann, a productivity expert, created 'Inbox Zero' in order to help all of us become more efficient and productive in our work day. The 'zero' refers to the amount of time you should be in your inbox. The goal is to keep your inbox between almost empty to empty at all times. He suggests you do so by either deleting the email, delegating, responding, deferring, or doing whatever it is you need to do with the email at that moment. He also strongly suggests you don't check your email all day or even leave it open on your computer. Instead, he suggests you choose times throughout the day to check and manage your emails. Mann emphasizes that this method will help you increase productivity by not using your email inbox as your to-do list. The resources below explain inbox 'zero' in more detail, ending with the original video where M. Mann himself details its potential. If you do not have time, the first video below is a brief explanation of this method.
Inbox 'zero' is also a way to radically improve your productivity. One of the main reasons it is able to do this is by strongly suggesting you do not incessantly check your email as we often do. By creating parameters for how often you check your email, you are able to remain in flow for extended periods of time, resulting in greater productivity.
Who has more time than they need in their day? Right. Since we are all looking for ways to be more productive and efficient, saving time is critical to the way we are able to organize our work day. The activities below offer you strategies and tips for how you can utilize this method to maintain an organized email account and do so in record time.