Last year I switched my email from Outlook Express (that downloaded onto my computer) to webmail.
I had started to travel more and it made sense for me to have access to my stuff anywhere I was.
But one problem occurred – I found that I didn’t keep a handle on how much email was actually in my inbox, simply because it wasn’t taking up space on my computer anymore.
I used to delete mass amounts of email at the end of every month when I used Outlook Express.
Well, occasionally I still do that with my webmail, but not often enough. I find it frustrating to search through my email to find stuff I need when there is just so much of it.
I use folders and filters and all that stuff, but I still just don’t find it as systematized as my old method.
So last week I took control back. I bought a book called The 15 Minute Inbox, by Joost Wouters, and I put it into practice.
It helps you clear masses of emails from your inbox quickly and easily, and I did just that.
Basically, you move everything from your inbox into a ‘holding’ folder so that you can sort it. This immediately empties your inbox (which looks awesome!).
Then you take various steps to clear out the ‘holding’ folder of emails – this can include deleting email that you won’t read or don’t need, and filing things that you have places for, and even unsubscribing to lists that you just don’t read.
I did this and it is very liberating!
Then you need to make a promise to yourself to manage all of the NEW stuff that comes into your inbox in a regular day. Since you started at zero, it is easy to maintain it.
The idea is that you check it, and you act on it right away. I do this once a day now (sometimes twice) and I feel so much lighter when I sit down to check my email now. I know I’m handling everything that comes through my inbox, and I know I’m clearing the stuff that is not necessary.
How do you manage your inbox? Would love to hear it. Check out that book if you want too. It has helped me with a huge timesucker, and I think it could help you too!