Alexandra Samuel shares some tips on how to best utilize email, without spending a lot of time.
Start by determining the total size of your email budget: the amount of time email warrants relative to your other priorities and workload. A good place to start is by looking at how much time you spend on email now, especially if you add up all those quick phone check-ins while you’re in line or on the commuter train, or grabbing a couple of minutes between meetings. If you reallocated a portion of that time to the incomplete project on your desk, or to the marketing campaign you putting off, or to restorative activities like sleep and exercise, would your professional effectiveness be enhanced or diminished? Use this self-assessment to determine the proportion of your workday that should go to email.