How to reduce email anxiety
Email is one of the most common forms of communication in the workplace, but it can also be one of the most stressful. If you feel snowed under and feel anxiety every time you check your emails, you’re not alone. The good news is there are steps you can take to ease your email anxiety.
In this guide, we will explore some of the ways you can make your email inbox work for you, so you can eliminate the feeling of dread when you open your inbox in the morning.
Bring order to your inbox
When it comes to email, the first step is to get organised. You need to set up a system for managing your inbox so that you can easily find what you are looking for and know where everything is. One way to do this is by using folders and labels. You can then create rules for your emails to automatically be placed in the correct folder.
You can categorise everything in the following ways:
Urgent and important
Important, but not urgent
Urgent, but not important
Neither urgent nor important
From here, you know what needs to be looked at immediately, and what can wait for the next time you look at your inbox. This simple step can enable you to feel more in control of your inbox and less like your inbox is in control of you. Check out these Outlook tips to help get you started.
Protect your time
The second step is to take control of your time. One way to do this is by setting aside specific times to check and respond to emails. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked by other tasks. If you are always checking emails, it can be easy to get caught in a productivity trap.
Decide when you will check your emails and give yourself enough time to work through everything that needs to get done. Make sure you let people that you work with know when you will check your inbox so they know what to do if something is really urgent.
Learn to say no
The third step is to learn how to say no. You cannot do everything, and you need to be realistic about your time. If someone asks you to do something for free and you don't have the time for it, don't be afraid to delegate or simply say no.
Saying no can be difficult, but it is an important skill to learn. When you say no to something, you are saying yes to something else. You are choosing to focus your time and energy on the things that are most important to you.
Reducing email anxiety takes time and effort, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can get control of your inbox and set boundaries that will safeguard your sanity and free up more time in the day for the tasks that matter the most.
If you need help taming your inbox, the Karen Ritchie VA team is here to help. We know all of the tips and tricks that will enable you to reduce your anxiety around checking your emails and feel more productive instead. Get in touch to arrange a consultation today.
