Making The Most Of Your Email While Staying Productive
Like most powerful tools, email can be a double-edged sword. If used properly, it can boost your productivity while allowing you to keep in touch with friends, relatives, and acquaintances from around the world. Of course, like a hammer placed into the wrong hands, it can also carry negative consequences. If you allow it to, it can destroy your productivity, embroil you in fruitless arguments, and make a lasting negative impression that will be felt for years.
Fortunately, staying productive while taking full advantage of emailing others is simple (though it takes diligence). Below, we’ll provide a few helpful tips that you can put to use immediately.
Close It Down Or Turn It Off
How many times have you caught yourself checking for new emails several times each hour? It’s impossible to remain productive when you’re pulling yourself away that often from whatever you’re doing. Whether you’re checking online within your browser or using a completely separate emailing application, close it down. If it’s not in front of you while you’re working, you won’t be tempted to check it.
Consider setting specific times throughout the day for checking and responding to email. For example, commit to only retrieving new messages at 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. By establishing set times, you’ll be less tempted to check sporadically.
Hide Your Emotions
One of the most dependable rules of the internet is that emailing an angry or rude message to someone will come back to haunt you in the future. For example, suppose you’re upset with a friend and to express your annoyance, you send her a rude, offensive message. Further suppose that your friend becomes incensed at your note and places it on her personal Facebook page for everyone to see.
Stay in control of your emotions when emailing people you know. There’s little value in emailing criticisms, insults, and other polarizing comments to people. One message sent in haste can impact your relationships with others for years. If you would prefer your comment not appear across the entire internet, save it for a conversation on the phone or in person.
Lean Toward Being A Minimalist
Keep in mind that every email you send represents an unspoken request to the recipient for a response. This is the reason servers around the world are clogged with messages that say little more than “thanks,” “you’re welcome,” and “me too.” Try to be an emailing minimalist; only send messages that are necessary, especially if you’re planning to see the recipient in the near future.
While it may be difficult to imagine, you can stay productive while enjoying the benefits of email. The keys are to be sensible regarding how often you check it, avoid letting your emotions run wild, and email when you’re able to add value. You’ll discover that you can get much more accomplished throughout each day.
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