each message — this can be outsourced to an app w You need a system you can trust that will capture the results of your thinking and decision-making .
And I would add to that third point that you need a system you can trust to store WHAT you need , WHERE you need it , until WHEN you need it .
This is why the inbox has proved so problematic for so many people for so long . It allows us to keep what we need and where we need it ( in the inbox ), but it does not help us identify WHEN we should pay attention to it . As a result , we have to reprioritize the inbox every time we visit it , scanning the contents , re-reading and re-analysing emails time and time again and cherry picking the one we choose to action . This can be a major source of the decision fatigue that drains our mental energy , uses up lots of headspace and dulls our focus for more important work .
A breakthrough comes when we can identify and capture WHEN we will action an email . Adding this extra dimension allows you to handle each email only once and then work on your emails in order of priority each day , with a note capturing the next action required ( so you don ’ t have to re-read the email to work it out again ), and only paying your attention to them on the date WHEN you have chosen to .
Getting the inbox organised in this way saves an enormous amount of time and energy
otherwise spent prioritising and re-prioritising the inbox every time you visit it . It also saves an enormous amount of headspace and frees you from having to memorise and keep track of everything mentally .
A good process like this cuts through email volume like a hot knife through butter . It helps you get control of your inbox , feel much more organised and less stressed and overwhelmed . You can finish each day feeling up to date and on top of everything .
So many of my EA / PA clients who have learned this process say it has changed their life . Many also tell me that , after using it for some time , they wonder how they coped previously and couldn ’ t imagine ever going back to their old way of managing email .
Next time you ’ re tempted to blame email volumes for your struggles , remember that it ’ s more likely to be your lack of or inadequate system or method for processing them .
You might consider registering for one of the upcoming Revolutionise Your Inbox Masterclasses to elevate your skillset in this area . Not only will it help to free up time , energy and headspace for yourself , but it will also increase your capacity to offer greater support to your executive and help them free up their time , energy and headspace for higher order thinking , priorities , projects and strategy . S
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