So… is that your reaction to seeing your email inbox? If it is… fantastic! Comment, please, because I also really like getting email when it comes from this group!
For most folks, though, every email feels like it adds a bit of weight to a chain dragging your mood, your freedom, down a little bit.
So today’s suggestions are two. One micro idea and one macro idea to help you enjoy and appreciate your email, without feeling drained by it.
Micro solution:
Create folders in your email box. No matter what email service you use (whatever the word is between the “@” and the “.com” in your email address) they have a magical path for you to keep emails without having to stare at them or wade through them in your email inbox.
What’s that? You have those? Great! Use them! Use them more! Like this:
Right now, scan through 15 emails in your inbox, and choose from these actions:
- Delete it. You don’t have to keep everything.
- Reply to it. If it will take one minute or less, just do it.
- Leave it where it is. If it’s urgent or important and takes more than a minute to navigate, just let it sit. That’s what it was already doing, no big deal.
- File it! If you might need it (I’m the Queen of Might Need it Someday) then choose or create a folder and move it there.
If any of these solutions are new to you, you will feel differently – and more resiliently – about your email the next time you open that inbox.
Macro solution:
Ask yourself a big question. What is your email for? What is it’s purpose in your life? How does it align with your goals and your purpose?
We’ve talked before about the power of purpose to increase your resilience. In short, when you’re able to explain to yourself why you’re doing something – and it matches something that is important to the life you want or matters to you – it becomes easier to navigate. Even when you don’t love it.
So I’m asking you, how does email help you achieve your purpose?
Comment! – I really want to know.
All my best,
Dr. G
