How to stop checking your email every 5 minutes
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This article was written for the Personal Stories of Change blog carnival, run by Peter from I Will Change Your Life. As always with his site, there’s some great reading on there.
Until recently (a few months ago) I was in the habit of leaving an email window open, so that I’d always be aware of an incoming message. After all, it might be important.
This approach - although it’s the one that many people take - wastes an incredible amount of time, as well as generating unneeded anxiety. Here’s why.
Time wasting, stress and anxiety
Think back to the last time you were waiting for a phone call. Perhaps it was from a loved one, a doctor or a potential employer. Whoever it was, no doubt you jumped every time there was a noise. It could have been the phone.
Were you able to focus on anything else? Take in new information, teach someone something, try an unfamiliar task?
Leaving your email open creates a similar atmosphere. Although you try to do other tasks, you’re never fully engaged in them - in case an important message comes in. As these other tasks aren’t completed as efficiently as possible, there’s a small amount of wasted time. And waiting for important news is anything but relaxing.
The alternative
A few months ago I came across Tim Ferriss’ book, The 4-Hour Workweek
The concept is simple :
Set aside two or three periods per day to check your email. Don’t open it at any other time.
During these periods, devote your full attention to email. Don’t try to do anything else at the same time.
For each item in your Inbox, make a decision. Delete it straight away, or put it in an ‘action’ folder (you can call this whatever you like) ready for a reply. Once you’ve cleared the Inbox, go through this ‘action’ folder. Reply to each one.
Whenever you come across an email from a mailing list you’re no longer interested in, unsubscribe from it. The 30 seconds you spend doing this today will save you many hours in the future.
NB : The first time you do this, clearing your Inbox may not be a reasonable thing to do. However, if you tell people you’re only checking email twice per day, you’ll start to receive less email. Just the important stuff, no time wasters. There are plenty of other avenues for social interaction.
What I’ve gained personally
A couple of hours per day. It seems like an incredibly simple change, yet it yields enormous benefits. What’s more, these are now relaxing hours. So if you’ll excuse me, it’s sunny outside. Time to head to the beach.
About the author
Scott Bird is a writer, photographer and fitness enthusiast at large. When he’s not in the gym he’s generally found wading through second-hand book stores or creating articles for his strength-training site, Straight to the Bar.
© 2006 - 2007 Scott Andrew Bird.
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