Remember when it used to be fun to receive new email? These days the inbox is more a pain than a pleasure for most people.

If you’d like to reclaim a sense of control over your cyber-intray, just follow the 4 email-management steps in this mission.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.

If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Note: This week’s mission is adapted from Chapter 6 of Inbox Zen: 7 Simple Steps for Making Peace With Your Email.

Get Organized Mission #33:
Organize Your Email Management

Step 1: Delete (5 Minutes)

Scan your emails. If no action is needed and you don’t have to keep an email, delete it.

Spend 5 minutes now deleting as many unneeded emails as you can.

TIP: If you’re nervous about doing this, create a folder called xDelete (the x moves it to the bottom of your folders). Toss everything in there, knowing that if you do need something, it will be available.

Step 2: Unsubscribe (5 Minutes)

Next, look for emails related to lists you can unsubscribe from.

Unless something’s genuinely helpful, consider saving time now and in the future by getting yourself off the list (usually achieved via an unsubscribe link at the very bottom of the email.)

If you stay subscribed because you think you’ll use the information one day, think again. With the high speed of information change and great ease of information search, it no longer makes sense to hoard information. This is just as true of emails and webpage links as it is of the ancient lecture notes feeding silverfish in your garage.

And don’t be deluded into stockpiling information just because it’s free. If you’re not using it, it’s not free. It’s costing you time, distraction and loss of focus. Instead, know that when you’re ready, you can venture online and find what you need.

Step 3: Use Rules (10 Minutes)

In Microsoft Outlook you can set up Rules to auto-process emails based on the sender, subject or other parameter. (Other email programs offer similar features.)

Spend 10 minutes now setting up rules to save time and simplify email processing.

For example, you can create a rule to automatically:

• Turn emails from your boss red, so they stand out
• Move emails with ‘Pets’ in the subject line to a Pets folder that you read at weekends.
• Forward emails with certain subject or sender criteria to your PA, and then turn them gray in your inbox.

To create a Rule:

1. Choose Tools > Rules and Alerts
2. Select the E-mail Rules tab
3. Complete the dialogue box steps to set up your rule.

You’ll be given the option to run the rule on your current inbox – this is a good way to test you’ve set up the rule correctly.

Step 4: Use Alerts (10 Minutes)

In Microsoft Outlook you can set up Alerts to notify you (and even play a sound) when you receive an email from a certain sender or with particular words in the subject line. (Other email programs offer similar features.)

Spend 10 minutes now setting up alerts to draw attention to your important items.

For example, you can create an alert that:

• Opens a notification window when you receive an email from a major client.

To create an Alert:

1. Choose Tools > Rules and Alerts
2. Select the Manage Alerts tab
3. Click the New Alert button
4. Complete the dialogue box steps to set up your alert.

If you receive a high volume of email, the 4 steps you’ve just applied can have significant time-saving benefits:

• Deleting unneeded or completed emails clears visual and mental clutter
• Unsubscribing saves email-processing time today and in the future
• Rules automate regular email actions
• Alerts help make sure you don’t miss important communications.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t overthink. If you tend to overanalyze the choice to keep or delete, use the xDelete folder as an interim measure to get emails out of your inbox.
• Do put yourself on an information diet. Only sign up for emails relating to immediate projects – and enjoy a slimmer inbox.

Extended Organizing Mission Option

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Read and apply the post: How to Never, Ever Check your Email Again
• Read and apply the post: The ONLY 4 Things You Should do with New Email
• Read and apply the article: How To Slay The Post-Holiday Inbox Dragon (Good for all overloaded inboxes, not just the post-holiday ones.)

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

More On Email Management:
Inbox Zen: 7 Simple Steps for Making Peace With Your Email

• How to achieve an empty inbox
• How to systemize email so nothing falls between the cracks
• How to never ‘check’ email again
• How to set up a simple fling system
• The secret to single-handling email
• Deciding when to delete
• How to reply fast
• How to go on an information diet
• Strategies for speeding up email turnaround
• 4 Steps for tackling an out-of-control inbox
• Includes interactive 25-Point Action Checklist.

“It is brilliant. I wish I had read Inbox Zen before coming up with my own system through trial and error!”

- Chris Garrett, Yorkshire, UK

Learn more…

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/xverges/ / CC BY 2.0]

Related posts:

1. Organizing Technology: The ONLY 4 Things You Should do with New Email
2. Time Management: How To Simplify Your Home Organization Tasks [Mission #28]
3. Organizing Technology: How to never, ever check your email again