reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

All of my clients deal with a volume of emails that is bleeding their energy. It is also costing plenty in terms of lost productivity due to distraction, wasted time searching for emails, reading rubbish emails, responding to emails. With a few simple strategies, the email monster can be tamed.

Get off the lists. (Except Compass Bearings of course!) If you do not get value from the Ezines you are receiving, then get off the list. If you are filing them with the intention to read later, stop kidding yourself, get off the list. This is just a massive obligation piling up in your system and dragging you down.

Avoid festering emails. These are the ones that just linger in your in-box because you are not sure what to do with them. Either do it or schedule it - get it out of your inbox by dragging it on to your task list.

Delete. If it is spam or junk, just get rid of it first.

Read and delete. Once it's done, get rid of it.

Read and respond. If it takes two minutes or less, just do it.

Read and decide. If the response requires further reflection, decide to schedule a time in your diary to make a decision - file the email in your electronic diary to this time. Don't let it linger in your inbox.

Read and schedule. If the action required will take more than two minutes and you cannot do it on the spot, schedule the action. Drag your email on to the task list and book the action in.

Read and File. If you really, really need to keep the email for reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

<value from the Ezines you are receiving, then get off the list. If you are filing them with the intention to read later, stop kidding yourself, get off the list. This is just a massive obligation piling up in your system and dragging you down.

Avoid festering emails. These are the ones that just linger in your in-box because you are not sure what to do with them. Either do it or schedule it - get it out of your inbox by dragging it on to your task list.

Delete. If it is spam or junk, just get rid of it first.

Read and delete. Once it's done, get rid of it.

Read and respond. If it takes two minutes or less, just do it.

Read and decide. If the response requires further reflection, decide to schedule a time in your diary to make a decision - file the email in your electronic diary to this time. Don't let it linger in your inbox.

Read and schedule. If the action required will take more than two minutes and you cannot do it on the spot, schedule the action. Drag your email on to the task list and book the action in.

Read and File. If you really, really need to keep the email for reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

r do it or schedule it - get it out of your inbox by dragging it on to your task list.

Delete. If it is spam or junk, just get rid of it first.

Read and delete. Once it's done, get rid of it.

Read and respond. If it takes two minutes or less, just do it.

Read and decide. If the response requires further reflection, decide to schedule a time in your diary to make a decision - file the email in your electronic diary to this time. Don't let it linger in your inbox.

Read and schedule. If the action required will take more than two minutes and you cannot do it on the spot, schedule the action. Drag your email on to the task list and book the action in.

Read and File. If you really, really need to keep the email for reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

ry to make a decision - file the email in your electronic diary to this time. Don't let it linger in your inbox.

Read and schedule. If the action required will take more than two minutes and you cannot do it on the spot, schedule the action. Drag your email on to the task list and book the action in.

Read and File. If you really, really need to keep the email for reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

reference later, then file it. Limit your files to three or four broad categories with subfolders, so that your electronic cabinet does not overflow with topics. I have three email files (with subfolders) that are listed according to my key life and work priorities. It is very easy to file and retrieve these items with this simple system.

Schedule your email time.

Email is a big temptation as it provides a great distraction from what you are working on. Turn the notification off and only address emails at specific times. I check mine first thing in the morning, just before lunch, and at the end of the day. I can then focus on other important projects without constant interruption.

Review your system and de-clutter.

Starting a new system takes a little trial and error. Review your email filing system and processing after a couple of weeks when you figure out what works and what does not. Schedule time to purge your filing system. Just like paper files, if you have not referred to it in a few months, then delete it. Keep the source in your contact system and delete the rest if you know you can access later through the web.

Happy organising!