Email got ya down? Inbox always full of unread messages or messages you just don’t know how to deal with?
You might be inclined to go down the “inbox zero” path, where you endeavor to get your inbox message count to zero and keep it there.
Don’t waste your patience on that. It’s going to balloon sooner or later (think vacation, for example).
Rather than focus on managing dozens if not hundreds of emails, focus instead on managing your attention. After all, you can never manage time—it’s about the only thing that marches on, no matter what.
Instead, simply ask yourself: If I reply to this email, will I get more done? Will I earn business? Will I build an important relationship?
If the answer is “no,” don’t even bother with it – if you must, put it in an archive folder. But you don’t have to process it.
You really don’t.
Put your attention where it matters most, and know that email is only a tool. It’s not a thing you have to perfect.
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