It happened again today. I started the morning in a great mood. Had just watered the plants, fed the birds and squirrels and finished breakfast.
Then I checked my email.
The orders sorted themselves immediately into the order box with that wonderful sound of cha-ching.
The group emails sorted themselves into the appropriate folders for later reading.
Of the 50 messages that showed up in my inbox, I immediately deleted 26 of them. Then I started on the remaining messages.
Oh look, she is hosting a webinar. And see? He is hosting a conference in a city I’d like to visit.
Someone else is traveling and writing from one exciting place after another. And another person is celebrating a new best-seller. And he is announcing a new product.
Now I’m starting to get depressed. I’m sitting here in my at-home clothes and haven’t gotten a thing done yet. Sigh – let me keep processing those emails…
Oh, she has just announced a new magazine. He has a new product on that latest traffic tactic.
It feels live everyone is doing something – except for me! All I’m doing is sitting on the sidelines, watching their success grow.
That’s why I recommend you NOT check your email until right before lunch – after you have created some success for YOUR business!
That’s just one of the tactics I recommend in Overcome Information Overload.
You’ll find a lot of additional tips and tricks for reducing your overload and increasing your productivity – all in one convenient place. And all delivered over a period of time, rather than dumped in your lap.
Join us today and overcome Your Information Overload!
Jeanette,
I recently worked on-site at a client location and was not able to access my email on a regular continuous basis. Your comments this morning hit home for me. I am now back working from my home office and I felt this overwhem just today. Thanks for putting a name to the problem and giving me insight into getting back control over my most valuable resource, my time. Good common sense in the technology age!
Karen
You’re welcome, Karen. I had that same experience this morning, which is why I wrote. I normally take my own advice and wait till later in the day. So it really caught me by surprise when my mood went plummeting.
Sometime we just need that wake-up call!
I’ve done the same thing when it comes to checking my email. I sit down at my computer around 8:30 or so and the next thing I know it’s 12:30 and I’m hungry .
And I haven’t gotten anything done! I keep telling myself – just one more email. And one more. And one more. Grrr!
I usually check my email first thing in the morning and then off and on throughout the day. Reading emails can be very time consuming. I delete all of the ones that don’t spark my interest and start from there. Good tip on spending time on your business before reading emails! I may have to try that and see how it works out.
Bless you, Jeanette. First, it’s validating to know we’re not alone in how we approach email. It’s refreshing to learn that others often get lost in the maze too. And most of all, it’s reaffirming to hear your suggested approach to kick the bad email processing habits before we shut down our productivity. Like you mention, when I read what other people are so successfully doing, I feel a shift in my mindset that drags me down. NO! No more! Thank you so much for this productivity (and understanding!) boost, Jeanette!
Okay, so I have heard this before and STILL have not taken action on it. No matter what time you start your day, reading emails should be the last thing on the to-do list.
I like your idea of not checking them until lunch. I used to force myself to do this or we would never get any homeschooling done in the mornings . . .LOL. Kids don’t learn as well when mommy is in a bad mood from the emails she read.
So, thank you, Jeanette. Tomorrow I will start again and NOT read email until noon. Bet I can get my list of 4 things done before I even GET to email 🙂
Thanks for all you do, Jeanette!
Theresa 😎
I have to agree with Debra – I was hoping I wasn’t the only one who has this problem. And you all have reinforced my belief that we all fall into these bad habits. Glad I was able to put a jolt into routine – and tomorrow no one should be checking email before lunch!
Do your readers and friends favor – and pass on this post to them. They’ll thank you daily as they get more done and keep their attitude up.
Great post! I would add not to get on Facebook, either. That will suck you in UNTIL lunch!
I just started checking my email today… it is 5:16 pm a new first for me, but I kinda like it. Made it much easier to delete lots of messages that just didn’t seem important after all I had done today, and the plans I’ve made for the weekend.
I just may be getting more productive!
Thanks, Jeanette.
Pat
This is great. I see, though, that it’s not only overload, it’s more of that shiny new object syndrome and “see how much stuff I could be doing because ‘they’ can all get it done and I can’t because …..(fill in the blank and the first because could be that “I’m sitting here looking at my email for hours and allowing myself to be distracted by what someone else is doing”. I have learned only to read a few people’s emails (one which is yours, of course) just like I scan CNN.com to see if there is anything that really matters to me and I don’t watch the news because it’s distracting from what I really want and need to be doing with MY life.
Sorry, getting off my soap box but just think that your folders system is the best of all and maybe you could use some more for those remaining 26 types of emails that you ‘JUST HAD TO OPEN NOW’
Thanks for bringing this up because it is a big issue for me at work and you’ve given me even more ideas about that now.
Terrie
This is a fabulous idea Jeanette. Sometimes I will do my writing before I do anything else but I never thought of not checking email until noon. I would add facebook to that as well. I don’t know if I can discipline myself to do that but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing the tip.
Yes, comparing is an easy trap for all of us. I like your idea to be more diligent to focus on what you have to offer. That is a positive and more constructive approach.
Thanks again and Blessings,
Keep up the good work!
Sharon
Great advice, as always, Jeanette!
Yes, I *try* to do the most important task on my To Do “short list” for the day EARLY and hold off on checking email until what most people consider the normal start of the day (between 8 AM and 9 AM).
For me, much of my somewhat urgent client communication comes via email, so I really can’t wait until noon, but it sure helps to do what’s most important for the day for MY business before checking email. 🙂
Gabrielle