Blog
In one of my next installments of “Winning the Battle” we’ll talk about how to handle emails that you will need to refer back to, or the messages that require some action on your part. But, before we move into that, let’s make sure that we are all on the same sheet of music. This is kind of like our Inbox Statement of Faith.
Inbox Statement of Faith
Remember the “Fresh Start”? I know, some of you just couldn’t bring yourself to make that move… That’s why I’m back here again. Others of you did it but have lost sleep over that move and yet others made the “Fresh Start” and have never felt better in your life. Whichever place you’re in now, these upcoming “Inbox Statement of Faith” items will help move us to a more homogenous state. You may not completely buy into all of these but they do represent a great place to start.
Some messages are more equal than others
First, not all email messages are created equal. In fact, understanding that a handful of messages in any given day are far more important, and timely, than all of the others combined is perhaps the most important place to start if you ever want to see your inbox fit onto one screen again.
You have no control over many of the demands on your time and attention, but you are the only person who has any choice over how you deal with those demands. That’s a lot of responsibility.
The main point to lay hold of here is that if you still treat every email in your growing inbox like a Christmas present that has to be savored, it might be time to get a bit lighter on your feet. Some of them are simply not worth that much attention!
Your time is priceless (and quite limited)
Second, there is no way you will ever be able to respond to, let alone read in loving detail, every email you ever receive for the rest of your life. If you take issue with this, just wait six months, because, believe me, we’re all getting a lot more email every day. What seems like a doddle today is going to get progressively more difficult, if not impossible, unless you put a realistic system in place now.
Like most things, the earlier you start guarding your time, the easier the habit becomes. There’s no need to be ashamed of admitting you aren’t perfect and can’t do everything flawlessly all the time — this is an outmoded conceit that very few of us can afford any more. Don’t be afraid to accept that your workload sometimes exceeds your resources… that you are the first and last filter for what deserves your time… and you’ll already be better off than you were even two minutes ago.
I have a few more “Statement of Faith” items but let’s stop here for today. We can continue with more of them tomorrow.
Thanks,
Roger