When was the last time you had a completely empty email inbox? Most people can’t even remember and think such an achievement is completely impossible. Actually, it’s easier than you might think and in this video, we’ll outline three steps you can take that will get you there. Coming up next…

Everyday we are inundated with more and more email messages. For some of us, having stacks of email in our inbox everyday adds to stress and hurts our productivity. Having an empty inbox is a productivity approach meant to keep your stress down by keeping your inbox clean. Here are three steps you can take to having a clean inbox.

Number 1: Answer Incoming Mail Immediately

The first thing you want to do is to stem the tide of new, incoming messages. To do that, get in the habit of responding to new messages immediately, and deleting them or filing them away once you’ve responded.

Number 2: Organize Email with Folders

Once you’ve stalled the growth of your inbox, it’s time to start cutting it down to size. Set aside 30 minutes or so a day and have a brief organizing party. Review each email and either keep it or toss it. If you plan to keep it, make a series of folders in your inbox so you can organize your “must keep” messages in a way that makes sense to you. There are no wrong answers here, just pick an organizing principle that works for you and run with it.

Number 3: Delete Non-Essential Messages

When you get a new message, read it and decide what to do with it right then. Don’t let it linger. If it’s important, respond to it immediately and then either file it or toss it. If it’s fluff, just get rid of it. There’s no need to allow it to continue to clutter up your inbox and get in the way of your empty inbox goal.

Achieving a completely empty email inbox is a worthwhile goal that will not only make you feel better about yourself, but it will make you more productive too. Start today, and before you know it, your inbox will be email free. If you want to increase your productivity through technology, give our team a call. We are happy to help.

Mid-Atlantic Computer Solutions
(703) 236-5800
www.4macsolutions.com