Email Management Part 4 of 4

Over the last four days, I've described how I tackle email overload.

⭐ Committing to checking email at certain times of day.

⭐ Turning off problematic notifications.

⭐ Triaging emails from the inbox into folders and building a folder structure.

⭐ Using categories and color coding to tag emails when immediate action is not possible.

What next?

The last tip will seem drastic.

Many people will say it's not possible.

But it is.

➡ Delete your email app from your phone. ⬅

Nearly two months ago, I went on vacation.

To protect that time, and ensure I didn't spend my beach hours checking email,

I deleted my email app from my phone.

I have not yet added back.

I have not yet missed a true emergency situation.

Here's the deal: if it is an emergency, people know how to contact you in other ways.

And, if you're (almost) always near your computer (or iPad), where you can check email, why do you need the app on your phone?

So, I no longer compulsively check email on my phone.

I even leave my phone behind a lot more often now, especially for dates with my husband.

I encourage you try this--even if just for one day a week, or on your next vacation.

It's freeing to realize it's not a necessity.

And you can still be timely and appropriately responsive without it.

#lawyerwellbeing #professionalwomen #productivity #bestadvice