TL;DR
Never check your email first thing in the morning. Every email is someone asking you to act, so opening your inbox first pulls you into reaction mode and delays your own projects for an hour or two. Plan your day first, then decide when, and for how long, to check email.
To create more free time, and become more productive, it helps to become aware of the energetics created by our routines, our stuff and our surrounding environment.
You see, we can protect and even boost our energy levels by creating systems to handle the minutiae and diiligently eliminating our excess stuff!
There is so much noise in the world it is hard to pay attention to the important things. The things that will bring us success. The things that will bring us joy and peace.
Let’s face it: We spend so much time accumulating possessions, interacting with technology and shuffling paperwork that we often lose track of what we need to do in order to keep our life in balance.
Become more productive ~ manage your information overload
It is easier now than ever to become unbalanced and overwhelmed.
Do you have days where at the end of the day, you wonder what you actually did? It happens to all of us.
There are many proven techniques that you can use to create balance, have more time for fun and even increase your prosperity.
It is also a a sure-fire way to take control of your time:
Stop letting your inbox zap your energy and suck the productivity out of your day. Take control of your email addiction and never check your inbox first thing in the morning!
I know you might have heard this before but do you understand why it is important?
When you jump into your inBox before you plan what you need to accomplish that day, you will get sucked in and inevitably delay tackling your current projects for an hour or two.
Why does this happen? I am not sure if you have thought about this, but here is the truth about emails:
Someone who wants you to take some type of action. So – guess what?
When you begin reading your emails, you immediately go into reaction mode. This is not necessarily a productive practice. You either spend time responding immediately or figure out that you don’t have time to respond and table it for later.
Once tabled, the email/request stays there demanding your time and energy later. Does this make sense?
Don’t open your inBox until you have planned your day and know exactly what you wish to accomplish. Once you are crystal clear about the direction and schedule for the day, you will know how much time you can spend there and what time is the appropriate time to open your emails and check your inbox.
Try being intentional with your inbox this week. You will be amazed how your stress level lowers and how productive and how much more you will accomplish.
Productivity + Balance = Success
Keep reading
- Tips For Getting Your InBox Amazingly OrganizedWhy your inbox makes a poor to-do list, and what to use instead.
- 10 Things We Can Do To Achieve BalanceThree goals a day, booking your own time and doing one thing at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Why shouldn’t I check email first thing in the morning?
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Every email sent to you represents someone who wants you to take some kind of action. When you start your day by reading them, you go straight into reaction mode and inevitably delay your current projects for an hour or two before you even begin them.
What happens when I put off answering an email?
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Once you table an email for later, the request stays there demanding your time and energy. You either spend time responding right away or carry it around as unfinished business, and neither is a productive way to start your day.
When should I open my inbox?
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Not until you have planned your day and know exactly what you want to accomplish. Once you are clear about the direction and schedule for the day, you will know how much time you can spend on email and the right time to check it.
How can I create more hours in my day?
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Become aware of how your routines, your stuff and your surroundings affect your energy. Kathi says you can protect and even boost your energy by creating systems to handle the small details and diligently eliminating excess stuff, which frees up time for what brings success and joy.
Why do I feel so overwhelmed and unproductive?
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We are living through an information and technology overload. With so much time spent accumulating possessions, using technology and shuffling paperwork, it is easy to lose track of what keeps life in balance and end the day wondering what you actually did.
