7 Reasons to Keep the Inbox Empty - Part 1

Following up on the 6th International Clean Out Your Inbox initiative last week, today’s blog post is the first in a series of 7 Reasons to Keep the Inbox Empty. 
 

#1: An overloaded inbox causes stress

It is often filled with a backlog of weeks or months of old work yet to be accomplished, messages that need a reply (including an apology for being so tardy), and irrelevant messages that have to be weeded out. 

This backlog of unfinished email creates feelings of being overwhelmed, guilty and out-of-control. There’s often a nagging, subconscious sense that you’re not keeping up with everything, that your work is never up-to-date, and that you’re constantly playing ‘catch up’. In a 2010 Harris Interactive survey, 94% of people said the most amount of e-mail they can receive before feeling some degree of stress is 50 messages.

By contrast, an empty inbox is a delight to look at - it makes you feel empowered, calm, in control and up to date. It improves your morale. You have time, energy and mental space to higher priorities, creative tasks and meaningful engagement with colleagues and clients.

If you haven’t yet got your in-box under control (ie: empty) for 2013, why not read the posts from last week (scroll down this page) to learn how you can do this. Of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact – whatever I can do, I’m here to help. 

All the best,

P.S. Keep an eye out for the new 7 Ways to Write More Effective Email program – available as a lunch ‘n learn presentation, training workshop or webinar. Details will be posted on this website soon!

Steuart Snooks