Sometimes it feels like achieving “inbox zero” – or having read, filtered, deleted or just dealt with all the emails I get – is an impossible goal to achieve. So, stop trying. Just ignore your inbox and go on about your life. Here are some strategies to help implement it:
Set an out-of-office responder
Let people know what to expect from you.
- Include the answers to frequently asked questions so you can be more productive without getting bogged down in emails.
- Maybe include someone else they should contact if they have a specific inquiry.
Try this with a personal email inbox first
It can force people to help themselves before reaching out to you
- “It’s basically like having people filter themselves and just stop and think for a second, ‘Is this something super-urgent that I actually need Taylor to respond to, or can I just not bother her right now?’ “
You can still check your inbox
The goal is to be less beholden to responding to emails and more focused on other aspects of life.
- It’s not a foolproof plan. Lorenz says she has missed a few opportunities and announcements here and there. But by and large, it has been worth it to regain hours and hours of her life back.
