Email overload is a huge problem for business leaders. If we're not careful, we can spend half our day sifting through our inbox. It can end up leaving us frustrated, and unproductive.
The truth is, email can be little more than a distraction. When we're always checking to see what is in our inboxes, we can't focus on the bigger picture. Yet it’s hard not to look when you hear that ping sound or see the mail icon in your dock.
Dmitri Leonov wrote a guest post for Venture Beat in which he provided a list of tips to help busy people manage email overload.
His number one rule? Don’t make clearing your inbox your top priority.
He says, “When you let other people set your priorities, you’re not in control of your time, and this should be a deal-breaker for entrepreneurs.”
Email overload is never going away completely. That said, you can make a dent in how much time and mental space it takes.
The first thing you may need to do is change your big picture approach to email. Be okay with the fact that some emails will never get a response. Do, however, respond quickly to those who need your attention.
Also, remember that the more email you send, the more you will receive.
