How to Organize Your Email Clutter

Computer email files can be a nightmare that can and will overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Below are some tips on how to organize your emails.

Junk email: The amount we receive daily can be ridiculous, which is a right pain. Using a Spam filter can be troublesome due to them often ‘binning’ normal emails. It is because of this that I choose not to use a Spam filter. Alternatively you can set up rules by clicking on actions or options for junk mail automatically deleting or filing what you don’t want to view if it is a daily email instead just go to that folder once a week. You can always go and unsubscribe to things you no longer wish to receive emails from.

Regularly to go through both your inbox/outbox: You would be surprised how many emails you receive and send. I actually often decline requests to send an email confirming receipt of someone’s email to me. Some people seem to abuse this and use it for inconsequential emails, clogging up my sent box all the while! Perhaps this is something you could do too.

Touch-base with friends: On the same day as your email culling respond to forgotten emails that prompt you to email friends. I shoot off friendly but quick emails to maintain contact. Friends often say “You’re so good at keeping in contact” and say how much they appreciate it.

Same goes for Associates: In regards to work contacts – I have often ended up with more media coverage due to the occasional “how are you” email; as it reminds them “I’m still here”. They can tell I am genuinely interested in how life is going for them. It really is worth the effort no matter which way you look at it.

Don’t forget to empty the deleted files folder, which can get into the thousands very quickly and use up valuable space if you don’t.

Reply ASAP: As important emails come in it is good to get into the habit of emailing back straight away if you can. Short and to the point emails are more than acceptable in this day and age, so shoot away to keep on top of your inbox.

Turn off the Internet and close your outlook box so you can focus on other computer files. It’s too easy otherwise to skip from one open page to another to half do several things, and not efficiently doing any of them.

Taking note of the time: when you start a specific job on the computer it is a good idea having allocated a set amount of time to that task. It really makes you more conscious of what you are doing and helps prevent time wasting.