{"id":1452,"date":"2023-03-03T15:21:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/11-steps-to-own-your-inbox\/"},"modified":"2023-03-03T15:21:32","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:21:32","slug":"11-steps-to-own-your-inbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/11-steps-to-own-your-inbox\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Steps to Own Your Inbox"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

If you get too much email and you want to get to inbox zero, this will help.<\/p>\n

In the last few weeks I\u2019ve received variations of this question from several clients\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cCraig, my inbox is so slammed with emails that I forget to reply to people and I drop the ball on projects\u2026 But you always get back to me\u2026 quickly\u2026 how the heck do you do it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I use a multi-step plan that highly depends on sending as few emails as possible.<\/p>\n

A key lesson: Your output results in your input.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you send a lot of emails, you\u2019ll get a lot of emails. One step to fixing this is replying less.<\/p>\n

But there are many things to do\u2026<\/p>\n

Turn these action items into email habits and you\u2019ll soon make more time for what matters.<\/p>\n

a) Do NOT reply to a dead thread<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stop saying \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d when someone says \u201cthank you\u201d<\/p>\n

Be ruthless with fewer replies. This is the #1 change you must make.<\/p>\n

b) Treat email like a fax\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine you had to get up, walk over to a fax machine, and send your email\u2026 you\u2019d send less.<\/p>\n

Count to 10 before you press send\u2026Is it really worth it?<\/p>\n

c) Put all non-urgent emails into a \u201cFriday folder\u201d\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then check it Friday\u2026 by then most of these emails will not be worth replying to<\/p>\n

So you don\u2019t have to! Problem solved.<\/p>\n

d) Unsubscribe from as many newsletters, alerts, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And have all receipts etc go automatically to another admin email or specific folder. This keeps your inbox clear.<\/p>\n

e) Manage What\u2019s Measured
<\/strong>
Use screen time or other app (like Rescue time) to monitor how much time you spend in your email and work to reduce that each week<\/p>\n

Pro Tip: Get accountability from your coach!<\/p>\n

f) The Ludicrous Tip: Rollll Up
<\/strong>
When replying to someone who has sent multiple emails\u2026 roll up all of your answers into one email rather than replying individually\u2026 Also, save your reply in a draft and send one email at end of day before logging off rather than multiple emails throughout the day<\/p>\n

g) Play a Status Game
<\/strong>
Make it publicly known that you are too busy for email, and that people should send you fewer but longer emails, and that if you don\u2019t reply it\u2019s not because you didn\u2019t see the email but because there was no reason for you to reply<\/p>\n

h) Use NNTR \u2013 no need to reply<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start putting NNTR at the end of emails to stop the email chain The first time you use it add the definition beside it.<\/p>\n

i) When \u201cscheduling\u201d a time to talk<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to have a call with someone, do NOT ask them \u201cwhat time works for you?\u201d Instead, ask them to send 5 specific times and days that work for them, or send them to your calendar link, or send them 3-5 specific times that work for you<\/p>\n

j) Ban \u201cbeing cc\u2019d\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

And use a cattle prod on anyone that unnecessarily cc\u2019s you on an email\u2026\u00a0 And use a cattle stun gun on anyone that continues to cc you on an email chain. Kidding!<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing worse in Email-Land than getting 6 follow up emails from someone after I have introduced them to another person. Just take me off the thread for the love of God, haha! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

k) Cue Up Emails for Later<\/strong><\/p>\n

I almost forgot this tip\u2026I schedule most of my emails to go out at a time when I know the other person will be offline. That way the recipient won\u2019t immediately send back a reactionary reply.<\/p>\n

Sometimes I do the reverse\u2026 scheduling the email for when I\u2019m not online\u2026 so if the person does reply immediately, I won\u2019t see it.\u00a0 I just choose whichever is most convenient for me.<\/p>\n

L) Train someone to be you<\/strong><\/p>\n

My assistant Lynda has access to my email\u2026 she can go in and sort my emails (she knows where to put them based on priority)\u2026 she moves my client emails (without reading the confidential material)\u2026 she can reply to admin emails\u2026 she can delete the junk that manages to get through<\/p>\n

I\u2019m boring and Lynda is a trusted ally\u2026 there\u2019s no risk to me in giving her email access. If you don\u2019t feel that way about putting someone in charge of your email, something needs to change.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Bottom Line:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your inbox is your responsibility. If you get a lot of email it\u2019s because you ask for it! If you want fewer emails, then implement as many of these tips as possible. And if you want to tell me a reason why these tips won\u2019t work\u2026 fine\u2026 but stop complaining about how much email you get. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Profit<\/a>
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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