How to Take Back Control of Your Inbox

tricks recently . Here's a question for you what's the first thing you do when you start your workday , If you're in any kind of knowledge-based role ? Your answer might be I check my emails or messages , and hey , I get it . We've been trained to do this .

But here's the thing Unless email is your most important task , or your job literally revolves around responding to emails , it may not be the best way to start your day .

Today , I want to show you how to stop letting your inbox run your day and start running your inbox . 20 or 30 years ago , email was a tool that helped us get things done . Now it is the work for many people , and that's a problem , because email has slowly crept into every corner of our lives .

We read emails before breakfast , during meetings and sometimes in the bathroom . Email is now a source of constant reactivity , and that comes with consequences Anxiety , decision fatigue , poor focus and lower quality work . As a leader , you're not just managing your own inbox , you're modeling how others should manage theirs .

Managing your own inbox , you're modelling how others should manage theirs . So let's flip the script . Let's make email serve you , not constantly .

Here are four things you can test out for yourself . Number one block time in your calendar to check and respond to emails . I suggest that you set three checkpoints in your day Mid-morning , say , around 10.30 . Mid-afternoon , around 2 or 3 o'clock and at the end of your workday , around 5 or 6 o'clock . During your first check , deal with quick replies immediately .

For longer responses you can flag the email and assign it to what I'm calling your afternoon processing . Block Number two use a system my own method . I go through around 30 plus emails in around or under 10 minutes most mornings . I respond fast to what's easy , I flag those mails that need more time and I archive or delete the rest .

Number three Block a dedicated hour in the afternoon for thoughtful responses . I suggest just after lunch , from 2 to 3 pm , where you take no meetings . If you finish early it's a bonus . Go take a short walk . It's good for your brain after focused work . Number four Set expectations with your team , colleagues or clients .

One easy way to do this is to use a friendly out-of-office message or auto-reply to let people know you're not constantly checking your inbox , because you're either in meetings , on a training course or doing deep work and perhaps a bonus tip . Number five stay intentional .

Even if you do need to check your mails more often , it's you who decides when and where , not your inbox . So let's recap this one small shift gives you back control of your day , reduces anxiety and overwhelm , improves focus , results and shows your team what intentional leadership looks

like . You get more done in less time and you're more present when your people need you . I'd say you've got this now , so go do it and set an example for your team . In future episodes I'll address several other ways in which you , as a leader , can get even better at dealing with emails , and that's another One simple thing . Thanks for tuning in .

Remember , small steps can lead to big changes . Test out this one simple thing and notice how it transforms your day . Let me know how you get

on . Reach out on LinkedIn and connect with me . Mention the podcast and if you'd like to learn more One Simple Things , then subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast channel and follow our LinkedIn Leading People page .

In our next episode of One Simple Thing , we'll explore another easy way to be a great leader by bringing out the best in yourself and those around you . And in between , you can check out one of my longer conversations with leading people about yes , you've guessed it leading people . So until then , keep exploring and stay curious .