The 23 most useful tips for controlling your email
In the digital age, email has become a dominant form of communication, both for personal and professional purposes. But with this convenience also comes the potential for clutter, stress, and a flooded inbox. Keeping your email under control can not only increase productivity but also bring about mental clarity and organization. Here are 23 invaluable tips to help you master the art of email management.
1. Prioritize Regularly: Just as you would with physical mail, sift through your emails to prioritize which ones require immediate attention, which can be dealt with later, and which ones can be deleted straight away.
2. Unsubscribe Relentlessly: If you find yourself consistently deleting emails from a particular sender without reading them, it’s a sign you should unsubscribe. Most marketing emails will have an ‘unsubscribe’ link at the bottom.
3. Create Folders or Labels: Organize your emails by creating specific folders or labels. This could be based on the sender, topic, or urgency. It makes locating specific emails easier and declutters your main inbox.
4. Implement the Two-Minute Rule: If an email will take two minutes or less to reply to, do it immediately. This prevents minor emails from accumulating and becoming overwhelming.
5. Set Specific Email Times: Instead of checking your email constantly throughout the day, set specific times – maybe once in the morning, once after lunch, and once before signing off for the day.
6. Turn Off Notifications: The constant ping of email notifications can be distracting. Turn them off to maintain focus and check your email only at your designated times.
7. Use Filters: Most email platforms allow you to set up filters. You can automatically label, archive, delete, star, or forward your mail based on specific criteria.
8. Delete Generously: Don’t be afraid to hit the delete button. If an email isn’t necessary to your work or personal life, it probably doesn’t need to take up space in your inbox.
9. Keep It Short and Sweet: When replying to emails, be concise. Respect your time and the recipient’s time by getting straight to the point.
10. Use Templates: For frequently sent emails, create templates. This avoids the redundancy of typing out the same responses repeatedly.
11. Clear Your Inbox Daily: Make it a goal to clear your inbox every day. By ensuring that every email has been dealt with in some manner (even if it’s just moving it to a folder), you’ll avoid buildup.
12. Use the Search Function: Instead of manually sifting through hundreds of emails to find one you’re looking for, utilize the search function.
13. Avoid Email for Complex Conversations: If a topic is intricate or might lead to a back-and-forth exchange, consider discussing it over a call or face-to-face.
14. Set Up Auto-Responses: If you’re on vacation or know you won’t be checking your email for a while, set up an auto-response. This informs senders when they can expect a reply.
15. Regularly Update Your Address Book: Ensure your email address book is up-to-date, which can aid in the efficiency of sending out emails.
16. Reduce Incoming Junk: Make use of spam filters and report spam emails. This will reduce the number of irrelevant emails arriving in your inbox.
17. Commit to Email Etiquette: This includes having a clear subject line, using proper greetings and sign-offs, and avoiding sending emails late at night.
18. Set Boundaries: Let your colleagues, friends, and family know about your email habits. If you don’t check emails during weekends, communicate this.
19. Regularly Backup: Ensure you have regular backups of your important emails. This can be a lifesaver in case of technical glitches.
20. Limit Email Recipients: Only include recipients who truly need to be in the loop. Avoid the overuse of ‘CC’ which can lead to unnecessary email threads.
21. Review Before Sending: To maintain professionalism and avoid potential misunderstandings, quickly review your emails before hitting send.
22. Use Tools and Apps: There are many email management tools and apps available, like SaneBox, that help organize and prioritize emails.
23. Remember The Human Element: Emails are a form of communication. Occasionally, picking up the phone or having a face-to-face conversation can be more effective and provide the human touch that an email lacks.
read more:
