Always running out of time? Perhaps it’s because you’re constantly checking and replying to emails. Don’t let your email choke you!
If managing your email is preventing you from having good time management, take control. Set specific times during the day that you check and respond to emails. You may pick two or three times a day; perhaps at 9 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm. Choose what works best for you.
Then let clients know you check and reply to emails at those specific times. You may even create an auto reply message indicating that you’ve received their message and will reply at the designated time. This way your clients know you did receive the message and will get back to them in a timely manner and they won’t be wondering why they didn’t hear from you right away.
You will find you are much more focused, less distracted, handling email in this manner. It also will lessen the feelings of guilt you may have at checking your email constantly when you should be working on a client project.
Please share your tips for managing email and any other time management tips you use!