Email—a great invention, though it occasionally can feel like the bane of an event professional’s existence as we try to meet deadlines and separate the must-reads from the deletes. With regular sign-ups for white papers, subscriptions for nuggets of key information and personal messages all combined in one inbox, it can feel overwhelming to open your mail app to tens of emails throughout the day. But there are ways to combat this without sacrificing your sanity, and few barely take more than a few minutes.
Set Up a Filter
In all applications, you can set up filters based on key words and specific email addresses. For spam emails, use the key word “unsubscribe,” as many mass emails will give you the option. This way, you won’t have to unsubscribe from potential news sources, but it won’t end up in your main inbox.
Create Emails for Specific Purposes
Do you use one email for all your business? Consider creating other emails for other purposes. For example, you can use one email for personal correspondence, one for white papers and one for social media. This way, you aren’t clogging up one inbox, and it can be easier to find what you need.
Unsubscribe from Unimportant Emails
It might take some time based on how many lists you’ve signed up for, but using 30 seconds to unsubscribe from lists you don’t need to view anymore can substantially clear out your inbox. Just unsubscribe as they come in.
Delete Email from Your Phone
We know, we know, you need access to your email at all times, especially when you run your own business. But rather than update your email app on your phone every other minute, download the specific app, like Comcast or Gmail, for your checking needs. By not viewing mass amounts of email every time you unlock your phone, you’ll lessen your stress.
Designate Time to Check
Even if it’s every hour, releasing yourself from the constant checking can be beneficial to your mental health. While emails may build up, you’re giving yourself a set time to go through and delete—something you may not have when scrambling to get ready for a morning meeting.
Start Fresh
If your email has truly gotten so bad that you detest digging through it, let go of your current email and begin again. Send personal emails to contacts letting them know your email has changed, then sign up for certain lists as they pop up—and follow the above guidelines to avoid letting it get out of hand this time.
