Cant live with it.
Cant get your job done without it.
Last year we sent over2.5 billion emails.
And heres the bad news.
In spite of a good amount of loathing, that number is only expected to grow.
The volume is an issue, as is the time you spend on it.
In fact, reports say you check it about36 times per hour.
In a single hour.
Do the math: This quickly adds up to a plague on your productivity.
You need it to do your job.
You cant just ditch it like a bad habit.
Yeah well, watch that estimate increase substantially.
I doubt that sounds appealing.
Clarify Your Question
Have you ever tossed an idea out to a colleague and ended with, Thoughts?
ask a specific question, like, What will it take to realistically implement this plan by next week?
Let me know if theres anything I can do to get it going ASAP.
Your colleaguell be able to respond quickly and directly, and youll get a much higher quality response.
Shes at it again.
You get an email for a deliverable with a ridiculously short deadline.
Youre frustrated and tempted to respond with, Can you give me more time on that project?
with the hope of renegotiating the deadline.
If you do, its going to take half a dozen more responses to address the timeline alone.
Instead, tell your colleague what you have thecapacity to do, and leave it at that.
Hey Sarah, Ive got three other prioritized projects in my queue now.
I will get this done by end of day next Thursday.
If Im able to get it done sooner, Ill let you know.
Thanks for your patience.
Stop Soliciting Questions
Some messages generate unnecessary mail because you unwittinglyinvite responses.
To avoid that, stop closing with, Does this make sense to you?
Rather, say Let me know if you have questions.
This concise language makes it clear that the conversation is closed unless theres an issue on the receivers end.
Dont Neglect the Title
The subject line of your message is efficiency gold.
Head thoseexcess emailsat the pass.
Use your title to indicate urgency, the deliverable, and the timeline.
Now your reader knows that this is going to require some attention.
That single, concrete statement prevents a ton of back and forth.
Wouldnt that be cool?
But, keep in mind that sometimes your best bet is simply to take the conversation offline.
Self-sabotage that keeps you working too long.
Shes the founder ofthe Job Success Laband author of theThe Resume Coloring Book.
Get started with her free21 Days to Peace at Work e-series.
Book one-on-one coaching sessions with Lea onThe Muses Coach Connect.
Top image byonivelsper(Shutterstock).
