5 Ways Reduce Email Overwhelm for Entrepreneurs
Do you find yourself dreading your email inbox?
I know how you feel.
I used to put it off, let it grow until it was completely out of control, and wish I could just select all and click delete. It was really tempting.
Sometimes you have to hit a saturation level or a point of no return to actually urge yourself into action. That’s exactly what happened to me and here’s what has worked and stood the test of time.
Only check your email once or twice per day and set a time limit
Decide ahead of time what time each day you’ll check your email and how long it will take. I check my email at 9 am and again at 4 pm and I only allow myself 30 minutes to be in my inbox. Some people set an out-of-office message to tell folks when they’ll check their email and when they will most likely reply. Personally, I don’t feel the need to do that in my business but I mention it in case you like that option.
Ruthlessly unsubscribe to what doesn’t bring you value, make you happy or you consistently find yourself not reading
There’s no more effective way to reduce overwhelm than to reduce the volume of emails you have to process. There are a few good apps that help you mass unsubscribe quickly so you can start feeling relief immediately.
Make Archive your BFF
Archive is not the same as deleting. When you archive an email it’s removed from your main inbox but it’s still available in searches and in Gmail, all archived email is quickly accessible when you click ‘All Mail’ in the left navigation.
Utilize folders and labels
If you have emails that need to be addressed in the future but don't require immediate attention, label them accordingly and put them in a separate folder. This allows you to know when to address them and makes it easier to find them when you need them.
Archive with wild abandon
Be honest with yourself. When have you ever gone back to that email from Etsy? Clutter = delayed decisions and email is no exception. Just click on that little trash can, and you’ll feel better.
When you implement these tips, you will be able to reduce the overwhelm that comes with an overflowing email inbox. Taking control of your inbox will also help you better prioritize what is important, allowing you to focus on running your business and reaching your goals.
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