#3 of 7 Reasons to Keep the Inbox Empty

 

#3: Things are not lost or forgotten

It’s easy to forget important actions and tasks when they’re buried amongst so many other messages in your inbox. When you do finally get around to addressing them, it is usually under time pressure with a deadline looming (or already past). At best, important e-mails will require reminders; at worst, they will go undone (thereby negating any benefit of using e-mail for that action item).

Rely on your system instead of your memory

By contrast, when you use the 4D method to make a decision and take action on new e-mail, it is then moved out of the in-box to a more appropriate place, as follows;

  • DELETE              (if not needed for future reference or as a business record)
  • DEAL with it        (handle immediately if it will take 2 mins or less)
  • DELEGATE          (when next action needs to be done by someone else)
  • DECIDE              (choose one of the following)
                                   Where – file the email into one of your e-mail folders
                                   When – convert email to a calendar item for later action  
                                   Wait – if waiting, move to a waitlist folder (with a reminder)

Once one of these actions is taken, the e-mail and its contents now sit in the appropriate place until the appropriate time you need to address them again. As a result you can safely forget about them – they will return to you (at the appropriate time) instead of you having to remember and then search through the inbox to find them again!

This is a great way to rely upon your system rather than your memory to keep track of all the tasks and activities you have to keep up.

Why not start using the 4D approach today and see what a difference it makes?

If you'd like to know more about the other 6 reasons, you can download a free copy of the 7 Reasons to Keep the Inbox Empty White Paper

Here's what I can do to help you!

Why not join me for an on-line Email Coaching session in December (3 dates to choose from). In this session, you learn how to;

  • get your inbox empty
  • move email tasks into the calendar
  • manage workload in one central location
  • quickly file and retrieve email
  • get more real work done
The good news is you can take advantage of this offer for just $27 (save 72%).

Choose your preferred date here - on-line Email Coaching session dates


Please feel free to reply with any comments or questions - love to hear from you!

All the best! 

 

Steuart