Checking Email

Yesterday's "Inbox Zero" or "Inbox by the 100s or 1000s" sparked great conversations.

Although I tend toward "Inbox Zero," the tips I'll talk about this week can be applied more broadly.

The goal: to help others feel like they manage their email--not the other way around.

I believe in email management. I think it is likely that, in my lifetime, we start to see ethical rules regarding email management.

It is becoming less and less acceptable to lose emails or mismanage emails.

And remember: I am not you. You know what works best for you.

Experiment. Find what works. Finesse it over time. Repeat.

📧📧📧📧📧

First step: Decide when you want to check your email.

📨 Twice a day (to open and close your day)?

📨 Thrice daily (to open and close your day, as well as mid-day)?

📨 As you go?

The last option is sometimes inevitable, but building a habit around really digging into emails only twice or three times daily can free up time in your day and space in your brain.

Second step: If notifications trigger you, interrupting your work, and making you feel compelled to check email all day every day:

TURN THEM OFF.

About six months into #BigLaw, I turned off all Outlook notifications.

Why?

I wasn't getting anything done other than checking email.

I'd be in a partner's office, hear their email chime, and flinch.

I compulsively checked my phone for that little red number.

So, all notifications went bye, bye.

I am not any less responsive because of it.

But I am a much happier person.

To recap today's plan:

📩 Decide when you want to check your emails and start building that habit;

📩 Check-in with yourself re: notifications. If they're a problem, turn them off.

More tomorrow.

#lawyerwellebeing #professionalwomen #legalissues