poster:how to do,from:
how to do
1: ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.
Mark Ellwood, author of Cut the Glut of E-Mail, calculates that white-collar workers waste an average of three hours a week just on sorting through junk mail. If you spend any more than that, you had better read on.
2: RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS.
Dry eyes, back aches, wrist cramping and numb fingers are signs that you are spending too much time at the keyboard.
3: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
If you didn't send so much e-mail, maybe you wouldn't get so much.
4: PRACTICE THE RULE OF THREE.
If an e-mail thread has gone back and forth three times, it is time to pick up the phone.
5: DON'T COPY THE WORLD.
Think twice about the people you put on your cc: list. If they all respond, then where will you be?
6: TURN OFF THE CHIME.
Nothing triggers a Pavlovian response faster than a ringing bell, but a flashing icon in the task bar comes close. Turn both off and your urge to check will diminish over time.
7: SLOW DOWN.
Answering messages the moment you get them creates an expectation that you will always respond as quickly. Let it be known that you won't. Train people to call if it's really urgent.
8: TOUCH EACH MESSAGE ONLY ONCE.
If it isn't relevant, hit the delete key. If it is, set it aside, and plan to spend some time at the end of the day to reply.
9: LET YOUR SOFTWARE DO THE WORK.
The more you filter out spam and divert e-mail lists to their own folders, the more manageable your in box becomes.
10: GET HELP FROM HUMANS
...and I don't mean your therapist. Senior managers: let your assistant wade through your In box for you. Ordinary mortals: ask friends to stop by or phone in from time to time to interrupt your e-mail reveries.
11: DON'T CHECK YOUR E-MAIL AT HOME.
This may seem extreme, but forcing yourself to go to a library or Internet cafe will at least allow the possibility of some face-to-face human interaction in your life.
12: TAKE TIME OFF.
Designate one day a week that is utterly e-mail free. That goes double for cruise-ship vacations.
