2018 brings a host of resolutions most of us will break by January 31. What about areas of leadership? One skill many leaders struggle with in time management is the art of managing e-mail. On average, we send approximately 206 billion e-mails daily, according to blogger Kenneth Burke (https://www.textrequest.com/blog/howmany-emails-do-people-get-every-day/). How can you get a few minutes back in your day—and share them as much-needed time with your team?
1. Block time on your calendar. Figure out how often you really need to check e-mail. Try for five minutes at the end of every hour or 30 minutes, or two to three times a day. And stick to it.
2. Shut down the e-mail application when you’re not using it. Don’t be tempted by the “pop-up” e-mail icon that says you have a message. Shut the application down.
3. Keep it short. People read an e-mail for approximately 10 to 15 seconds before deciding if it’s worth saving or deleting—that gives you roughly 30 to 50 words to get your message across. Find a way to explain it with fewer words or add the details in an attachment. Don’t spend time on e-mails people won’t read.
Have other ways that help you shave minutes off your day by cutting back on e-mails? Share them at: ashley@squarepegsolutions.org
